Abbotsford Police have heard it all when it comes to excuses for poor driving, and this is the time of year when they most like to poke fun at them.
This week, the department began its annual Driving Excuses social media campaign – a series of daily Twitter and Facebook posts highlighting some of the more entertaining comments that officers have heard on the road.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the campaign is designed to increase awareness about driving issues in a fun and humorous manner.
“It started four years ago to give attention to road safety issues without always going to the serious-message basket,” he said.
MacDonald said the campaign also shows that police have a human side and they can laugh at some of the moments they face on the job.
MacDonald said one of his favourite moments was when officers stopped an impaired man who was travelling on a riding lawnmower along a sidewalk.
When the man’s mower was impounded, he wasn’t that concerned.
“I have another one at home,” he responded.
Another incident involved a drunk driver who abandoned his vehicle and hopped into the back of what he thought was a taxi, but was actually an idling police cruiser.
“Get me out of here, buddy. Cops are everywhere tonight,” the man stated.
This week’s campaign will involve an average of four posts a day from now until Friday.
Among the posts so far this week:
– “Driver after running through a stop sign: ‘I didn’t want to use my brakes.’ ”
– “Driver after miserably failing a field sobriety test: ‘Can I come back tomorrow when I’m sober?’ ”
– “Distracted driver: ‘I mean really! Define safety!’ APD officer: ‘The opposite of what you’re doing.’ ”
– “APD officer stops driver with cellphones in both hands and driving with his knees. Driver: ‘I know it looks bad …’ ”
The posts can be viewed at “Abbotsford Police Department” on Facebook and @AbbyPoliceDept on Twitter.