Four weeks into B.C.’s province-wide distracted driving campaign, it seems far too many motorists just aren’t getting the message.
Vancouver police revealed Tuesday that officers have dished out a whopping 1,500 distracted driving tickets since the campaign began March 1.
“The high number is disappointing,” Acting Insp. Ken Egan said in a statement. “We have seen firsthand the consequences of distracted driving. Leave your phone alone and pay attention to the road.”
The provincial campaign aims to curb the persistent problem of drivers using phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel, a habit so dangerous it’s become the second-leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. after speed.
An average of 88 people are killed in the province every year due to distracted driving, according to the Insurance Corporation of B.C., compared to 105 lives claimed by speeding.
ICBC figures also show the number of distracted driving tickets issued has gone up every year since the law came into effect in 2010, reaching 54,600 last year. That amounts to more than $9.1 million in fines.
Motorists caught talking or texting behind the wheel in B.C. are dinged $167, one of the lowest fines in Canada, and receive three driver penalty points.
