An 18-year-old Saskatoon resident, Mason Prima, recently found himself with an unexpected $580 fine after using his phone while waiting in a McDonald’s drive-thru line.
Incident Details: Mason Prima recounted his experience to CTV News, explaining that he was merely trying to redeem his reward points for a free meal at McDonald’s, when a motorcycle cop issued him a hefty fine. “I’m barely even moving. I pull up my app and look at the rear-view mirror and there’s a motorcycle cop behind me,” Prima said.
RCMP’s Perspective: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that Prima was “observed driving a vehicle on a public roadway while using a cellphone.” Despite Prima’s insistence that he was inching along in the drive-thru without touching the gas pedal, the fine was issued.
Legal Viewpoint: Criminal lawyer Brian Pfefferle expressed sympathy for Prima, suggesting that many people use their phones in similar situations. “I would venture to guess that a great majority of people would utilize their cell phones in lineups such as that, and it shouldn’t be considered illegal,” Pfefferle commented.
Community Reaction: The incident has sparked a debate in Saskatoon about the nuances of traffic laws and their application in everyday scenarios like drive-thru lines. Many locals believe that using a phone while barely moving in a drive-thru should be treated differently than using it on a busy road.
Conclusion: Mason Prima’s fine highlights a gray area in traffic regulations and has prompted discussions about potential reforms. As for now, it serves as a cautionary tale for those using their phones while waiting in drive-thru lines.
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