Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is once again footing the bill for area off-duty police officers to pick up an extra shift and crack down on distracted driving. The Winkler and Morden police services are just two agencies in the province that will run the enhanced enforcement during the months of April, July and October.

Winkler police chief, Ryan Hunt, says officers will be looking for motorists who continue to use hand-held devices while driving. This process typically involves one member walking along the sidewalk in plain clothes or in a personal vehicle watching for people using their cell phones. They will then relay that information to a uniformed officer that will proceed to stop that vehicle and issue a ticket to the driver.

Hunt noted police use this approach because a distracted driver will usually drop their device if they see a marked police car approaching, making it harder for officers to catch them in the act.

Morden police chief, Brad Neduzak, says officers also plan to run checkstops in their community as well.

He added the number of distracted driving cases in the city is still quite high despite recent, more severe penalties.

"We're still finding people talking on their phones as well as texting, looking down. Obviously, we may not see the phones lot of times but we know what they're doing - they have their phones in their laps and obviously they're taking their eyes off the roadway."

In Winkler however, Hunt says it appears the stricter penalties, which call for a three-day driver suspension and a $672 fine for the first offence, are somewhat making a difference.

The suspension is extended to 7 days if the driver is caught a second time within a 10 year period also includes a $672 fine.

In a news release issued by MPI, the Crown corporation says distracted driving goes beyond just cell phone use behind the wheel and includes activities like reading or writing while driving, reaching for an object, an extended glance at an outside object, browsing/scrolling on a cell phone, operating other in-vehicle controls or devices, interacting with passengers (particularly for teen drivers-passengers) and eating and drinking.

Meantime, Neduzak says the Morden Police Service will also be participating in MPI's Roadwatch program this year which targets alcohol and drug-impaired driving.

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