The Kingston Police in Canada have implemented the use of drones to ticket drivers who use their cell phones while driving, but the move has sparked significant controversy on social media.
It all started when driver Laurie Esseltine reported being ticketed for using her cell phone while driving. She said that when she stopped at a traffic light, she noticed a drone following her.
At that moment, she said she became startled and pulled out her phone to take photos and videos of the flying object. Shortly after, she was approached by the police and received a ticket for distracted driving.
Interestingly, it was the drone monitoring drivers that caused the distraction. This case caught the attention of internet users, made local news, and eventually, authorities canceled the ticket.
However, the city of Kingston had already been using drones for traffic enforcement since May of last year. The DJI Matrice 300, purchased by the police in 2021, was previously used for accident reconstructions, locating missing persons, pursuing fleeing suspects, and monitoring large events.
According to the police, the drone had some idle time, so they decided to put it to additional use. Now, enforcement is carried out by a traffic officer with the help of the drone, which, upon noticing inappropriate behavior, relays the vehicle’s location via radio. The officer then enters their patrol car and proceeds with the traffic stop.
On the first day alone, 20 tickets were issued for distracted driving. In Canada, using a cell phone while driving is an infraction that carries a fine of 615 Canadian dollars, three demerit points, and a three-day driving suspension.
Photo: Kingston Police. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
