Driver drinks a beer while on a phone

From the RCMP in Vernon; filed under, 'Are you kidding me'.

Last week one of the officers from North Okanagan Traffic Services likely could not believe his eyes when he pulled up to the traffic lights at 32nd St. and 43rd Ave., at about 6:30 p.m.

The officer noticed a Dodge pick-up truck stopped in traffic on 32nd St. northbound. The driver was drinking something from a can and he was on a cell phone.

When the driver realized the police officer was watching he dropped the cell phone. The member stopped the vehicle in a near-by parking lot.

The driver produced his driver’s license, he admitted to being on a cell phone, and when he was asked about the drink he produced an open can of Old Milwaukee beer. An open pack, with fourteen remaining cans, was located under some clothes on the passenger seat.

The 30-year-old Vernon resident was issued a $167 ticket for talking on a cell phone, and a $230 ticket for having open liquor in the vehicle.

He did pass a roadside sobriety test and was allowed to continue on his way, minus the remaining 14 cans of beer.

The RCMP would like to remind everyone that September is Distracted Driving month. Officers will be paying close attention to people using electronic devices while driving. 

Drivers who are operating under restrictions of the “L” or “N” are not permitted to use a cell phone, at all, not even with a blue tooth device.