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It is a story that is becoming far too common. A driver focusing more on their smart phone than on the road. Unfortunately, drivers are learning the hard way that texting and driving are as lethal as impaired driving.

No one knows that better than Sergeant Rob Duttchen, a 17-year member of the Winnipeg Police Service. In August 2009 his own father, Pastor Art Duttchen, was killed when a teen driver crossed the median and hit him while he was crossing the road with his dog in Kingman, Arizona just after dusk. The 16-year-old driver had been texting at the time of the collision.

Sergeant Duttchen has committed himself to educate the public about distracted driving and says it is as important as enforcement.

In some cases Duttchen gives distracted drives a choice; get a ticket or listen to his story.

In April of this year, 480 tickets were issued by Winnipeg Police officers for distracted driving. Police say that one in three deaths and one in five serious injuries are a result of distracted driving in Manitoba.

Throughout July Winnipeg Police will be conducting a distracted driving campaign. Officers will be using proactive and “creative” methods to deal with drivers using hand-operated electronic devices.

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