B.C. drivers are going to great lengths to explain away why there's a cellphone in their hand when police pull them over.

“But it was my mom calling!” came the call from one brave B.C.er, who figured he'd talk his way out of a ticket.

No such luck, but he did make the ICBC top-10 list for best excuses offered to cops since the cellphone ban.

Some drivers tried the high-tech defence:

“I was just checking my voicemail — I wasn't making a call,” came another unsuccessful plea.

And what married officer wouldn't understand the dilemma of this driver:

“It was my wife calling, and I didn't dare ignore her.”

That may be a good try, but this one certainly didn't fly.

“I didn't know, I'm not from here — I'm from Maple Ridge.”

So, for those from Maple Ridge, or wherever in Canada, here's a little tip: Driving while using a cellphone is banned throughout many of Canada's provinces.

Click here to see the list of most often excuses. Or you can click the gallery link, above right.