The B.C. Highway Patrol recently conducted a ticketing campaign to curb distracted driving in Greater Victoria.
From Oct. 8 to 11, B.C. Highway Patrol officers conducted distracted driving checks at major intersections in Saanich, Victoria, Langford and Sidney. During the four-day period, the police body issued over 100 tickets to drivers using mobile phones, as well as to those not wearing their seat-belts and running red lights.
Every ticket for distracted driving includes a fine of $368, as well as four driver penalty points. Motorists with four or more points on their record at the end of a 12-month period may have to pay a penalty point premium, which ranges from $214 for four points to $29,376 for 50 or more.
According to ICBC statistics, distracted driving is a contributing factor in 38 per cent of all police-reported crashes in B.C. Drivers are also 3.6 times more likely to get into an accident when using held-held phones.
"Drivers are encouraged to focus on the road, and leave their phone and other distractions alone while driving," said the B.C. Highway Patrol in a news release. "Pedestrians are reminded to wear bright reflective clothing, put their cellphone down, make eye contact with drivers and use designated crosswalks."
For more information about distracted driving, visit: icbc.com/road-safety/crashes-happen/distracted-driving.
