'I had to check the time': Top distracted driving excuses in Coquitlam revealed

Even if you’re one of those rare car owners whose vehicle does not have some sort of clock installed in it, that’s still not a good excuse for using your phone while driving.

This sound advice comes from the Coquitlam RCMP, who have compiled their top three favourite excuses for those caught using their phone while driving in March.

“Most drivers are getting the message to leave the phone alone,” said Coquitlam RCMP in a release. But clearly, some are not.

In fact, a total of 70 people “still needed expensive reminders from Coquitlam RCMP as part of Distracted Driving Month,” the release added.

In trying to avoid the ticket, here’s what some of the offenders had to say.

Top 3 distracted-driving excuses

According to Coquitlam RCMP.

“I had to take an emergency phone call about my company’s payroll.”

In response to this excuse, police advise “there are very few emergencies that require you to drive and talk on the phone simultaneously.” In this case, the driver admitted that this emergency did not qualify and he could have pulled over.

“I had my phone on speaker mode so that’s technically hands-free.”

Well, not exactly. According to both the Motor Vehicle Act – and common sense – if your phone is in your hand, it is not being operated hands-free.

“I had to check the time.”

If you are picking up your phone to check the time while driving you are breaking the law. If your car doesn’t have a clock, then maybe it’s time to buy a watch

While these excuses may be entertaining, distracted driving continues to be an issue on BC roads, police said.

Distracted driving and seatbelt violation tickets together equalled about one fifth of the almost 500 tickets issued by Coquitlam RCMP’s Traffic Services in March.