Police target distracted drivers from seat of a Winnipeg Transit bus

Police officers rode select Winnipeg Transit buses on Thursday but not to combat growing concerns about violence on some routes.

Rather, the officers from the traffic division used their tall perch to scout for distracteddrivers.

"We're using some unconventional means to locate and to speak with distracted drivers, in some cases issuing offence notices," said Staff Sgt. Sean Pollock.

"But ourmain purpose for the day is to educate the drivers on Winnipeg's roadways that distracted driving is now basically on parity with impaired driving, as far as danger."

Pollock said Thursday's initiative was a pilot project and he wouldn't say how many more times it might be conducted.

"We'll examine it but my hope is that it is something that is ongoing," he said.

More than 7,800 tickets were issued in Winnipeg for distracted driving in 2017. So far in 2018, that number is around 1,000, which Pollock says is encouraging.

"On this pace we're looking at almost a 50 per cent reduction," he said, noting only a handful of tickets were issued on Thursday.

The police service had earlier issued a news release saying the "safety and security of passengers and operators will be a focus of this effort," but Pollock made it clear that road safety and catching drivers using hand-held electronic devices was the priority.

If anyone was spotted with a device, the officer would radio ahead and describe the vehicle to a colleague on the street. The vehicle would then be pulled over and ticketed but also given "an educational component" about the dangers of distracted driving, Pollock said.

The city's transit union has been calling for enhanced security on its buses for many years. The issue came to a head in February 2017 when driverJubal Fraser was stabbed to deathafter he roused asleeping passenger atthe end of his route on the University of Manitoba campus.

RandyTonnellier, Winnipeg Transit'sacting manager of operations, said he was pleased with Thursday's operation, noting the presence of an officer on the bus will naturally help increase safety.

Asked if he wants police on buses all the time, he said "the more security presence we have, the better."

He notedThursday's initiative was separate from anything to do with improving security, adding the Transit Advisory Committee"is actively working on that issue right now as well an added security presence and what that might look like."

Lucille Gregory, who rides the bus every day, said she likes the idea.

"I think it's good because I see a lot of people who, they're sitting there texting while driving and I'm yelling at them like, 'Put down your phone! Come on! Like you can get somewhere in a little while. If it's that important, pull over.' So I think the idea of the police being on the buses looking down, that's great."

Gregory also likes the idea that uniformed police officers are on the bus, keeping passengers safe.