RCMP gear up for distracted driving awareness month

RCMP across the province will be conducting intensified distracted driving enforcement for distracted driving/occupant restraint awareness month.

BC RCMP Traffic Services is reminding drivers to keep eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Distracted driving is responsible for more than 25 percent of all car crash fatalities and is the second leading cause of fatal collisions in BC, says Corporal Mike Halskov.

Every year, an average of 78 people die in fatal motor vehicle collisions in BC, 13 in the North Central region, 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.

The fines for distracted driving (using electronic device = 4 points or driving without due care = 6 points) start at $368 and 4 penalty points for the first offence, and the costs increase with each subsequent offense.

In addition, your insurance costs may be affected.

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.

Police recommend that you always buckle up even if you are going short distances – seatbelts and airbags work together to protect you and the occupants of your car.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $167.