Penalties for calling or texting while driving are not enough to stop those who do it, says letter-writer CJ Mitton.

Penalties for calling or texting while driving are not enough to stop those who do it, says letter-writer CJ Mitton.

Light penalties the wrong call

Editor: Every time I read anything that has to do with hand-held devices and what the RCMP are doing about it I just want to laugh.

Editor:

Every time I pick up a newspaper and read anything that has to do with hand-held devices and what the RCMP are doing about it I just want to laugh.

Oh, I don’t blame the Rural Community Moving People. I’m sure they know exactly what they would do about the problem if someone with an ounce of intelligence would just create a law that might work.

Imagine a law that might even scare the general population enough that they wouldn’t dare use a hand-held device when driving. I’m talking about a law that would state clearly that if a driver is caught using a hand-held device while driving, that the RCMP can just take the device and store it at the police station for awhile.

People might actually think twice before using that BlackBerry while driving if there is a good chance that they could lose the device for 24 hours for their first offence. A week for the second offence and a month for the third. Do it again and you lose that device for good. Oh, let’s make it 48 hours for the first offence.

Imagine: one minute you’re having a great time texting while driving and then suddenly you’re just sitting in your car and your BlackBerry is gone. You can’t call or text anybody. Even if you can get another phone, you don’t have anyone’s number cause it’s in your BlackBerry. Your calendar for the day is in the BlackBerry that you cannot access for 48 hours. You could lose your job!

I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the message.

Too bad we’re the only ones who do.

CJ Mitton, White Rock

Peace Arch News