Winkler Police issued 31 tickets in July, of which 25 were related to drivers using their cell phones.

The initiative was part of an MPI funded Distracted Driving campaign this July.

"The hope was we wouldn't find anyone offending, but sadly that was not the case," Police Chief Rick Hiebert explains.

"We'd like to see full compliance and make our roads safer," Hiebert says. "But definitely people are still disregarding safety and the law and choosing to use their cell phones while driving."

He notes catching offenders using their phones often comes down to luck, "are you there at the right place at the right time when someone's on their phone? That's really what it amounts to."

The fine for using your cell phone while driving is $203.

Hiebert thanked MPI for funding the initiative which pays off-duty officers coming into work to focus entirely on catching distracted drivers.

"It allows us to spend valuable time on the street," Hiebert says, adding officers can often be tied up with investigations.

"It's a great partnership."