Month-long distracted driving campaign ready to roll

While the BC government mulls over steeper penalties for distracted driving, RCMP and ICBC are taking aim at the drivers themselves.

This month, police are heightening their enforcement of distracted driving, while Cell Watch volunteers will keep their eyes peeled for offenders.

“If you choose to drive distracted and put others’ lives at risk, police will catch you,” said Staff Sergeant Dale Somerville, B.C. RCMP Traffic Services. “B.C. drivers know it’s against the law, but far too many still make excuses for their behaviour, then continue to put themselves and others at risk. That’s why we’re cracking down on those who cannot police themselves. Even when you’re at a red light or in slow moving traffic – you’re still in control of a vehicle – and the law still applies.”

ICBC road safety coordinators will also be visiting community events with a driving simulator

ICBC says distracted driving is the second leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and a leading cause of crashes with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

One in four deaths on B.C. roads involves distracted driving, though BC has some of the most lenient penalties in Canada.

“The cost of a distracted driving ticket in B.C. is only $167 – the second lowest in Canada – yet the cost of a distracted driving crash can be a person’s life,” said Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “During our month-long consultation, it was clear the public firmly agrees that our fines are too low. We are going to fix this. Over the coming months, we will make our roads safer with tough, fair, and effective sanctions to curtail this alarming but preventable problem.”

Every year, on average, 15 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in the North Central region.