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EDMONTON – The RCMP says a number of registered vehicle owners can expect to receive distracted driving tickets in the mail.

Police say they were called to a single vehicle rollover near Innisfail late Thursday afternoon, which resulted in the driver receiving minor injuries after investigators say he admittedly fell asleep at the wheel.

While at the scene, investigators say they saw a number of drivers taking photos with their mobile devices as they passed by the collision.

The problem got so bad that RCMP began taking down license plate numbers of those who slowed down to snap a picture.

It’s an issue RCMP say they have to deal with regularly.

“It creates havoc, said Cpl. Al Nickolson with the Innisfail RCMP.

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“I’ve seen people actually stop on the highway and look and survey our crash scene,” added Cst. Rob Beaupre.

“This is very unsafe…very frustrating for us.” Tweet This

RCMP hope sending distracted driving tickets in the mail will deter some people. Drivers, meanwhile, are divided over the issue.

“I’m not very in favour of sending tickets in the mail in general. I think that’s a cop out,” said Bryce Winter.

Roy Sassine, on the other hand, think it’s a great idea.

“Stop all the distratction. Don’t use your phone. Don’t text and drive.”

Mailing tickets to a vehicle’s registered owner is legal. However, as with photo radar, mailed distracted driving violations would not go on a person’s driving record.

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