Buckle up and put the devices down

Mar 3, 2022 | 10:30 AM

March is Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Awareness Month, and the RCMP will be cracking down on these infractions.

Across B.C., Mounties will be targeting distracted driving offences, as they account for more than 25 per cent of all car crash fatalities, and are the second leading cause of fatal collisions.

RoadSafetyBC’s 2019 stats, which are the most recent available, show that 70 people died due to distracted driving. The leading cause of fatal crashes was speed which accounted for 74 in 2019.

Along with using personal devices, distracted driving includes personal grooming, eating and drinking, reading, unsecured pets, other passengers and not knowing your route.

“It all starts with you,” said chief superintendent Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of B.C. Highway Patrol.

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“Ask yourself if it is worth your life, or someone else’s, to answer a call, check your email or send that text while you are driving. Please make the right choice when you drive — ignore your phone and drive responsibly. Your life may depend on it — and others may be depending on you to get to your destination safely.”

Police will be stepping up enforcement for distracted driving across B.C. in March. The fines for using an electronic device while driving starts at $368 and four penalty points for a first offence, and the costs increase with each following offence. The fine for driving without due care is $368 and six points.

The RCMP will also be stepping up seatbelt compliance in B.C. in March. On average, 51 people are killed in B.C. each year in collisions where they are not using the restraints.

Restraints must be used by all occupants of a vehicle, including child or infant seats for children.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $167.

by Liam Verster

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