Drone Use By Kingston Police To Catch Distracted Drivers Sparks Legal Backlash

Do you often find yourself checking your Tinder messages on your phone while driving? Are you upset that Apple Car Play or Android Auto don't have a Bumble app?

Kingston Police face legal threats after using drones to ticket distracted drivers. Privacy advocates say it's unconstitutional and invasive.

Kingston Police are under fire after using a drone on May 7 to issue 20 tickets for distracted driving, capturing high-resolution footage of drivers using their phones. While the department hails the effort as a modern tool for enforcing the law, legal experts and privacy advocates are calling it an unconstitutional overreach.

Chief Scott Fraser defended the operation, comparing drone footage to photos taken from police vans or buses. “What’s the difference of me sitting in a truck looking down in your window than a drone at 120 feet?” he asked.

However, Kingston lawyer Dominic Naimool disagrees, calling the use of drones “creepy” and a threat to privacy rights. He argues the tactic violates Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) has issued a formal warning, urging Kingston Police to cease drone surveillance or face court action. “This level of intrusion is not justified,” said CCF lawyer Josh Dehaas.

Former Ontario privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian echoed those concerns, stating, “People are allowed to have privacy in their cars.”

Kingston Police did not seek legal counsel before deploying the drone, believing it to be no more invasive than previous enforcement strategies. Chief Fraser says they will review any legal ruling and comply if courts deem the tactic unconstitutional.

As the debate intensifies, the case could set a national precedent on how far law enforcement can go in using surveillance technology on Canadian roads.

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Source: CBC

Photo Credit: AI