A West Vancouver woman with an apparent addiction to her cellphone is facing fines of up to almost $900 after being ticketed taking a selfie while behind the wheel – the sixth time she’s been stopped for similar offences.
A West Vancouver police officer spotted the technologically obsessed driver Sunday afternoon, when the 39-year-old woman was attempting to take a selfie while stopped in heavy traffic on Taylor Way near Marine Drive.
The driver appeared so distracted by the selfie attempt that she didn’t notice the police officer pulling alongside in a large marked police SUV, attempting to get her attention, said Const. Jeff Palmer, spokesman for the West Vancouver Police Department. Eventually the police officer did get the woman’s attention and pulled her over.
The driver has five prior tickets for using her cellphone while driving since 2013.
The Sunday selfie could prove very expensive.
This latest ticket means the driver has racked up two distracted driving offences since new legislation took effect this year, so unless the woman disputes it in court, this ticket will carry a $368 fine plus a $520 ICBC penalty point premium for a total cost of $888, said Palmer.
Also, a second ticket within a 12-month period means the driver is subject to review under the provincial driver improvement program and could be subject to a three- to 12-month driving ban.
Palmer added police don’t know whether any of the prior cellphone driving tickets involved taking selfies.
