Police on Vancouver Island will focus on distracted driving and improper seatbelt use next month.
B.C. Highway Patrol said its March enforcement campaign will target drivers using electronic devices and those failing to wear seatbelts.
“We’re asking every driver to put the phone out of temptation’s reach, buckle up, and make sure you’re using an appropriate car seat for your children,” said Insp. Brian Donaldson of B.C. Highway Patrol.
Donaldson said drivers should consider whether they need to use a GPS to navigate home from work or scroll through a playlist instead of paying attention at a crosswalk.
According to RoadSafetyBC, distracted driving is one of the top three causes of crashes resulting in injuries and deaths in the province, along with impaired driving and speeding.
Police said unrestrained occupants remain a leading cause of injury and death in collisions.
B.C. Highway Patrol said seatbelt use continues to be an issue in rural areas, while drivers in urban centres sometimes struggle to follow more complex child car seat requirements.
Under B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act, drivers can face the following fines:
- Using an electronic device while driving: $368
- New drivers using an electronic device while driving: $368
- Failing to wear a seatbelt: $167
- Operating a vehicle with an inoperative seatbelt: $167
- Child unrestrained or improperly restrained: $109
“If you don’t want to follow the law, then education through enforcement is coming,” said Donaldson.
