A September campaign targeting distracted driving and seatbelt infractions in B.C. resulted in nearly 1,200 tickets being issued by the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP).
“We can see it all around us: Too many British Columbians are choosing to ignore their seatbelts or use their cell phones while driving,” BCHP said in a release.
BCHP ran its Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month campaigns in September, and today it revealed which B.C. regions received the most tickets; however, Metro Vancouver was not the worst offender.
Looking at distracted driving specifically, drivers in Central BC, which includes Merritt, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Clearwater, received the most tickets in September, with a total of 285 tickets issued. The South Coast, which includes Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky country and the Fraser Valley, followed behind with 212 tickets.
Tickets for using an electronic device while driving come with a fine of $368.
BCHP
Drivers in Central BC also fared the worst for not wearing a seatbelt, with 162 tickets issued. Drivers on the South Coast were issued 86 tickets. Not wearing a seatbelt carries a fine of $167.
BCHP
“It’s simple. If we can get less people to drive while distracted, and more people to wear their seatbelts, then we will save more lives,” said Superintendent Mike Coyle with BCHP in a statement. “We will keep writing tickets for people who don’t obey the law, but the real goal is public safety.”
We’ve published stories in the past about driving in B.C. that have shed light on a lack of understanding of basic road rules, like the Slow Down, Move Over Law.
We also shared a story this summer about how 77 per cent of drivers in B.C. admit to tailgating.
Do you often encounter distracted drivers when driving around B.C.? Share your typical B.C. road experience in the comments.