The Saskatchewan RCMP says it's safe to collect points at the McDonald's drive-thru — just be careful
A Saskatoon man's ticket for using his cell phone while driving has ignited an online debate about whether it's ok to use your phone in the fast-food drive-thru line or on private property.
The RCMP acknowledged it had received “multiple inquiries” about the story of 18-year-old Mason Prima, who came forward to say he got a cell phone ticket while in the McDonald’s drive-thru in Saskatoon. Prima claims the officer fined him for pulling his phone out when he was just 10 feet from the order board, but the RCMP says its traffic enforcement officer initiated a traffic stop after seeing Prima using his cellphone “on a public roadway," and gave him the ticket after he pulled into the restaurant parking lot.
So, is it safe to use your phone to collect points at the drive-thru window?
The RCMP officer in charge of traffic enforcement in Saskatchewan says yes, as long as you're not stunting or driving without due care and attention.
Superintendent Grant St. Germaine is the head of traffic enforcement for the Saskatchewan RCMP. (Chad Hills / CTV News)
"We don't write cell phone tickets in parking lots," said Supt. Grant St. Germaine.
"There's only a couple of things that we would do. So if you've got a parking lot and somebody's doing donuts in the parking lot, and there's a potential that they're going to kill themselves or somebody else, then we'll get involved. Otherwise, we don't write tickets in parking lots. We don't do enforcement in parking lots."
An RCMP spokesperson also advised CTV News that their traffic services officers — who work alongside local police enforcing traffic laws — aren’t targeting drive-thrus in any organized enforcement.
Mason Prima told CTV News about the moment he was pulled over going through the McDonald’s drive-thru in Saskatoon. (Carla Shynkaruk / CTV News)
Prima still maintains he wasn’t on his phone before getting into the parking lot, and only had it in his hand within steps of the order board.
“I go to that McDonald’s almost every day for lunch. I know that cops sit there all the time.”
He said he plans to fight the ticket in court on July 31.
-With files from Carla Shynkaruk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre supports Israel 'proactively striking' Iranian nuclear sites to defend itself
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Iran following last week's ballistic missile attack, saying that right includes 'proactively striking Iranian nuclear sites and oil installations to defund the terrorist regime.'
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Lululemon founder Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
'Feel free to get naked,' witness testifies Toronto councillor told her during 'networking' weekend
Toronto Coun. Michael Thompson 'forced himself on' a woman who awoke to find him standing over her after she fell asleep drunk, the Crown alleged Monday, as the five-day sexual assault trial of the six-term politician began in Bracebridge, Ont.
Is Disney World still open as Hurricane Milton strengthens to a Category 5?
Despite Hurricane Milton evolving into a Category 5 storm, Walt Disney World Resort remains open to the public and will operate as normal. However, the park announced Monday a few closures in an abundance of caution.
Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault
A disgraced Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Prayers, protests and police as Canada marks anniversary of Oct. 7 Hamas attack
With prayers, protests, and a heavy police presence, Canada has marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and triggered an ongoing war.