by Canadian Police Used Drones to Combat Violators
Police in Canada have faced criticism for using drones to detect drivers using phones behind the wheel. In May, 20 fines were issued using unmanned aerial vehicles for driving in a distracting environment.
Driving in a distracting environment is a serious problem. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2023, 3,275 Americans died because of it. To combat the violation, police regularly fine drivers who use mobile phones.
Unexpected Accusation Against Law Enforcement
But what if the police themselves become a source of distraction? Such an unusual accusation is being made in Canada.
The story of Laurie Esseltine attracted media attention. The woman reported that, while stopped at a traffic light, she noticed a drone hovering over her car with no pilot in sight. She found this strange, so she took two photos with her phone and waited for the green light.
When the light changed, she continued her journey, but was soon stopped by Kingston Police. Law enforcement officers stated that Esseltine was using her phone while the vehicle was in motion, which threatened her with severe penalties: three demerit points on her license, a fine of 615 Canadian dollars (449 US dollars), and the possibility of a three-day license suspension.
What could be a better way to catch a distracted driver than to create that distracting environment for them?
Esseltine considered this unfair, but, as reported, the charge was mysteriously dropped without explanation. At least one other drone-related fine was canceled the same day, and officials are not commenting.
Police Discontinued the Practice
However, law enforcement appears to have tacitly acknowledged that using drones was a bad idea. Kingston Police stated that they have not used drones to combat distracted driving violations since and are not aware of other agencies using drones for traffic enforcement.
The drone in question is a DJI Matrice 300, which was acquired in 2021 and is typically used for accident reconstruction, searching for missing persons, fugitives, or hidden suspects, as well as for securing large events.
Kingston Police / Carscoops Edit
Although the department has stopped using drones for driving enforcement, their very use raised many questions. As Esseltine noted, “What could be a better way to catch a distracted driver than to create that distracting environment for them?”.
Questions of Legality and the Future of the Practice
It is also noted that the Canadian Constitution Foundation became involved in the case, as it believes the use of drones constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure. For this reason, the group believes the government is dropping some cases, but they are demanding the cancellation of all 20 fines.
Kingston Police
This case points to the complex balance between innovative law enforcement methods and the protection of citizens’ rights. Technologies like drones offer new opportunities for ensuring safety, but their application requires clear legal frameworks and public discussion to avoid abuses and conflicts of interest, where the means of combating a violation itself becomes its cause. The future fate of such initiatives will depend on the results of legal assessments and the public’s reaction to such surveillance methods.
