Saskatoon RCMP Defend $580 Ticket Issued to Teen for Using Phone in Drive-Thru

Unexpectedly, an 18-year Mason Prima from Saskatoon, Canada got a surprising $425 traffic ticket for using his phone to get a free meal via the McDonald’s mobile app while he was in the drive-thru.

It was back on May 13th, Mason Prima in his BMW, sitting there ready to make an order at the McDonald’s drive-thru. He got out his mobile phone and clicked on the McDonald’s app because he wanted to use a free meal offer.

But Mason Prima’s attempt to get his free food turned into an unpredictable and expensive situation. When he was using the app, a police officer on a bike came near his vehicle and gave him a $425 ticket for utilizing his phone while driving.

From the reports, it is clear that Mason Prima was not driving his car actively because it was just “rolling” forward without any action from gas or brake pedals. He said he had pulled up the app on his phone when he was “barely even moving”.

However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police didn’t agree with Mason Prima’s story. They said they saw him using his cellphone on a public road before he drove into the McDonald’s parking lot. According to RCMP, the traffic violation was given when Prima entered the drive-thru area.

The high fine and possible effect on his driving record have made Mason Prima worried, and he is determined to argue against the ticket in court. He has only one speeding ticket during his two and a half years of driving, so the thought of adding demerits to Prima’s license is quite a concern for this young driver.

Additionally, this occurrence has led to a wider conversation about the confusion related to the application of rules regarding cell phone use. This is especially true for those who are operating vehicles and either not moving or moving at an extremely slow speed like in a drive-thru lane.

Brian Pfefferle, a criminal defense lawyer from the area, recognized that it is a complicated matter. He said “most of the people would have their cellphones on them in lineups like that and it’s not something illegal, but obviously up for debate.”

Mason Prima’s strong will to fight the ticket in court, which is set for July, shows he thinks he was singled out and that the law might not have been applied right in his situation. The result of his contest could possibly give clearer understanding about when using a cell phone while driving is legally allowed or not, even in non-traditional driving scenarios.

The situation with Mason Prima is a story of warning for drivers who might feel the temptation to use their phones in drive-thru lines. This includes actions like getting rewards or buying items. It shows that we should have more careful methods in applying laws against distracted driving, considering the exact situation and chances for confusion among drivers.