March is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and police across the province will be conducting intensified distracted driving enforcement across the North.
Fatal and serious injury motor vehicle collisions due to distracted driving are completely preventable and BC RCMP Traffic Services is reminding drivers to “keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.”
Distracted driving is responsible for more than 25 per cent of all car crash fatalities and is the second leading cause of fatal collisions in B.C., according to police. Every year, an average of 78 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/drinking, reading, pets, other passengers and not knowing your route. Doing any of these things while driving may cause your trip to end in tragedy.
“It all starts with you,” says Const. Mike Halskov of BC RCMP Traffic Services. “Ask yourself if it is worth your life 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 are depending on you to get to your destination safely.”
Police across the province are stepping up distracted driving enforcement. The fines for distracted driving (using electronic device = four points or driving without due care = six points) start at $368 and four penalty points for a minimum of $543 for the first offence, and the costs go up even more with each subsequent offence. In addition, your insurance costs may be affected.