A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for. Im barely even moving. I pull up my app and look at the rear-view mirror and theres a motorcycle cop behind me, Mason Prima told CTV News about the moment he was pulled over going through the McDonalds drive-thru in Saskatoon. He didnt think anything of using the app, and needed it to get the free lunch that he had earned through reward points. Then the officer came to his window. I just go like this and show him Im on my McDonalds app loading up the code to get a free meal, Prima said. He thought that would be the end of it. "I did think he was just going to let me go because Im just trying to get a free meal, but no, turns out to be a very expensive lunch, he said. Prima says the whole process was a catch-22. He needed the app to complete his order, and its the first thing McDonalds staff ask you when you pull up. I was kind of shocked to be honest. Ive never had that before I open up my app every time I go over to drive-thru and Ive never had that issue, he said. In a statement to CTV News, the Saskatchewan RCMP disagreed with Prima's version of events. "RCMP can confirm that on May 13, 2024 the individual was observed driving a vehicle on a public roadway while using a cellphone. A Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan RCMP officer initiated a traffic stop with the individual. The individual then pulled in the McDonalds parking lot, where the traffic violation was issued," the statement said. Local criminal defense lawyer Brian Pfefferle says there is still a lot of grey area when it comes to technology and the law. I feel for the individual that was charged here. If he was literally in the drive-thru area and not on a public roadway, Pfefferle told CTV News. I would venture to guess that a great majority of people would utilize their cellphones in lineups such as that and it shouldnt be considered illegal, but its obviously debatable, he added. Cellphone use while driving is clearly dangerous, says Pfefferle, but he questions the circumstances in Primas case. Prima says he's only been driving for two and a half years, he's only had one speeding ticket in that time and is very careful to keep his cellphone out of reach, so he isnt tempted to use it while driving. I didnt have my foot on the gas or brake. It was just rolling. Barely moving, Prima says. Despite what the RCMP says, Prima is sticking to his guns for now. The fine he faces is $580, which for this 18-year-old is a hefty amount, but hes most concerned about the demerits off his licence. Prima said he feels strongly that he shouldn't have to pay this ticket and is prepared to fight it in court. That date is set for July 31.
SMH why can't he just park, turn his car off, get his phone, open the app, get the code, MEMORIZE it, store his phone somewhere inaccessible to him while driving so he won't be tempted, then turn his car back on, get in the drive thru line, and then give the code to the workers.