​Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason has raised concerns about the prevalence of distracted driving in the country.

His remarks come following a recent case involving George Marryfield, whom Wason believes was using his cell phone at the time of a traffic incident.

Marryfield, aged 23 and residing in Liberta, appeared before Magistrate Wason in St. John’s Magistrates’ Court earlier this week and admitted guilt to driving without due care and attention..

​The incident occurred on August 1 of the previous year when Marryfield, traveling from north to south on Corn Alley, collided with the back of another vehicle moving in the same direction. The collision happened as the victim’s vehicle was stationary.

According to reports, the police received a report of the incident and an officer conducted investigations at the scene near the Salvation Army around 11:10 p.m.

During the proceedings, Magistrate Wason questioned Marryfield about his cell phone usage, to which Marryfield admitted to driving too closely behind the complainant.

Consequently, Marryfield was fined $1000