Drivers, beware. The Gaineville Police Department continues to find more ways to bust distracted drivers.
One of the newer tactics the department is utilizing is a simple one, but one that has apparently been effective, officers said.
An officer on a motorcycle will simply ride alongside traffic waiting at a red light, and look into the driver's side window to see if the driver is doing something on their cell phone (or not wearing a seat belt, among other potential violations).
"When we stop them, we'll ask, 'Can I see your phone?' and most people will let us see their phone, and they will show us where they were at on the phone," said Lt. Tommy McElroy, Gainesville Police Specialized Services Division.
Still, McElroy said, making a phone call is the only legal use of a cell phone for a driver stopped at a red light - any other cell phone activity is prohibited.
Another method the department uses to catch violators involves the use of unmarked police cars.
"We'll put spotters in (the passenger seat), and the spotters will be a certified police officer. They're in plain cars, just driving up and down the road. When they see a violation, they will sit there and watch it, and then call it out to a marked vehicle," said McElroy.
The marked vehicle will then pull the violating vehicle over.
Sometimes, however, police prefer to make their actions a little more obvious.
In another instance, officers stood on the sidewalk, holding signs saying they were police officers, looking for people texting and driving.
"We're trying to do anything we can to slow down the crashes. Most of the crashes we're seeing now in the city are low-speed contact," said McElroy.
Contrary to what some might think, the distracted drivers are not just young people; McElroy said it stretches across the spectrum.
"We're just trying to educate everybody we can," said McElroy.
