September is Distracted Driving month for BC Police

Every March and September, police across BC participate in the Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint enforcement campaign. This September is no different, and police across the Province will be conducting intensified distracted driving enforcement.

According to provincial data, distracted driving is responsible for more than 25% of all car crash fatalities and is the second leading cause of fatal collisions in BC. Every year, an average of 76 people die in fatal motor vehicle collisions in BC because the driver was distracted or not paying attention.

Distracted driving is more than just using an electronic device but also includes other distractions such as personal grooming, eating or drinking, reading, insecure pets, other passengers and not knowing your route.

“It all starts with you,” says Supt. Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol. “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 depend on you to get to your destination safely.”

The fines for distracted driving start at $368 and 4 penalty points.

And, while seatbelt compliance is generally quite high in BC, on average, 50 people are killed every year in collisions that may have been survivable had restraints been worn. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $167.