Having all these fines for various and sundry offences are nothing more than the Provincial Governments failed attempt to properly address peoples driving habits.

The fines generate money for the Government, however they do not seem to have any effect on peoples driving habits. The first 6 months of 2013 generated $600,000.00 for the City of Prince George as its share of the fines written by the RCMP. So we are looking at a cool $1.2 Million per year. So is this about raising revenue, and saving costs?? I would say yes.

Here’s the skinny. We already have laws covering dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, impaired driving, criminal negligence, etc; These laws were put in to ensure people drove safely on our roads.

The police could at any time charge people with the above offences, however it would mean that they would have to go to court, which costs time and money, hence the other laws that allow roadside fines.

All the statistics show that the fine system doesn’t work. Other than for generating revenue.

Soon we will have a fine for scratching our butt while driving, or talking with a passenger, or listening to the radio, etc; etc;

Time to go back to the old laws, and if necessary pay the additional costs to get bad drivers off the road.

make it a bit more difficult to obtain a driving license in the first place.bring them back for a second road test after say 6 months.if they have picked up any infractions during the first 6 months,take the license from the for a year.good driving skills must be achieved early on and kept up.

To bad accidents where not registered on a DL . Then you would really see who the bad drivers are.

I agree with Palopu. It all comes under the already established category of ‘driving without due care and attention’.

I can usually tell when someone is yakking on a cell phone and not paying attenton to driving. Everybody has likely experienced this.

Fines are great for generating revenue, but generally bad for changing people’s mindsets and habits.

I drive and ride a motorcycle in PG. On any trip through town I see people driving while talking on their cell phones and texting. If I see it ,why doesn’t the RCMP officer in his/her patrol car next to me not see it. Is it not a priority? If I stopped everyone I see I (rcmp) would have no time to do anything else, syndrome. What is it?

I have to agree with Palopu and JB – The current system of fines, fines, fines, are all a cheap form of taxation. It is unfair to those of lower income, it hurts the poor more then the rich. In reality it creates a form of “apartheid” between the rich and the poor. The “demerit system” was a better form of discipline, ensuring equality for all drivers in BC. Impounding vehicles in remote communities is way too heavy handed and despotic in nature.

Impaired driving period! Impound their car if caught and throw the book at them.

Unfortunately “impaired driving” has lost it’s meaning and is open to interpretation, a police officer might see you with a coffee cup in hand while driving and say – your’re impaired…off the road and here is a hefty fine, the list can go on. Drunk driving yes, impound their vehicle and “throw the book at them.” Today it is hard to fine some common sense, even where our laws are made. There is a tendency to throw out the baby with the bath water and in doing so much harm is done to the fabric of our society.

Whelan I think the priority could be the call they are probably one that could have a much more serious crime in progress

In a rare instance, probably, but the cruiser is out cruising, purpose is to, make police presence visable, address the highways act, and to be available for calls. My observation is that cell phone/texting is not a prioiy for them (rcmp) until there is an accident. People do this because by ommission its allowed.

“Time to go back to the old laws, and if necessary pay the additional costs to get bad drivers off the road.”

But then who will pay all the fines? If they do that the govt will enact a no farting while eating chocolate chip cookie bylaw to make up for their tax loss. I like chocolate chip cookies and would end up in a standoff with police if they tried fining me for it.

32% against stiffer penalties for endangering others lives. Says a lot about you doesn’t it?

What about all the cameras that are out there? Take a picture of the culprits and then one of the license number of the car and send them to the RCMP along with a statement as to what you witnessed and the time, date and location.

Or better yet have your passenger do this if possible, while you drive!

cops dont notice because there busy on there cellphones, radios and laptops. god forbid i answer a call while the guy in the next car is unwrapping his bigmac. Just fine me!.. oops is that window tint, fine me again, car lowered, ..add another..are those neon lights? better to just impound it!