P.E.I. resident sentenced for using cell phone while driving
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Almost colliding with a police automobile whereas utilizing a cellular phone and driving has resulted in a conviction for a P.E.I. driver.
Jaspreet Singh, 23, beforehand pleaded not responsible to the cost below the Freeway Site visitors Act for driving whereas holding or utilizing a wi-fi communication system. Singh’s trial was scheduled for Could 17 in provincial court docket in Charlottetown, however he did not present up.
The trial went forward anyway in Singh’s absence.
Crown legal professional Lisa Goulden referred to as Cpl. Shaun Coady of the P.E.I. RCMP to testify.
Coady informed the court docket that on Jan. 26 at round 8:30 p.m., he was driving southbound on Riverside Drive in Charlottetown in direction of the Hillsborough Bridge intersection. He seen a automobile in entrance of him swerving back-and-forth in its lane and at first suspected the driving force is likely to be impaired by medication or alcohol.
Coady then noticed the automobile drift and brush up in opposition to the street’s median simply previous to the primary of two roundabouts. Coady mentioned he continued to comply with the automobile. He was capable of drive beside it in the fitting lane as each autos went by way of the second roundabout. Coady mentioned the driving force – Singh – was alone within the automobile. When Coady appeared by way of the passenger’s aspect window, he may see Singh’s face lit up from the cellular phone he was holding in his proper hand and touching the display along with his left hand.
“Was there any palms on the steering wheel?”, requested Goulden.
“It didn’t seem there was a hand on the steering wheel,” replied Coady.
As they continued driving down Riverside Drive, Singh’s automobile drifted into Coady’s lane, and the police officer needed to hit the brakes and pull additional to the fitting to keep away from a collision.
Coady then activated the police automobile’s overhead emergency lights. Coady famous that Singh did cease; nonetheless, quite than pull over to the fitting of the street, Singh stopped within the centre lane simply earlier than the intersection of Riverside Drive and the strategy to Hillsborough Bridge. When Coady approached the automobile, he noticed Singh’s cellular phone on the passenger’s seat. Singh informed Coady that the cellular phone had rang whereas he was driving. Even so, Coady gave him a ticket for utilizing the cellular phone whereas driving. He was additionally issued a warning from Coady for driving with motorized vehicle expired registration. Singh had a sound P.E.I. driver’s licence.
Goulden famous there are exceptions for driving and utilizing a cellular phone on the identical time for emergency personnel or anybody reporting an emergency, however none of that was the case with Singh.
Goulden mentioned the minimal high quality for the offence is $500 when somebody pleads responsible. Provided that Singh pleaded not responsible in addition to the proof offered at trial and the hazard Singh posed to the general public that night time, she requested a better high quality.
Chief Decide Jeff Lantz agreed and fined Singh $700 for the driving offence plus a $50 surcharge.
Terrence McEachern is a justice reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. @terry_mcn
