Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

March is Distracted Driving & Occupant Restraint Month for BC Police

28 Feb, 2020 09:16 PM

    March is Distracted Driving/Occupant Restraint Awareness Month and police across the Province will be conducting intensified distracted driving enforcement in your area. 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.


    Lego car with driver holding phone, Lego RCMP officer standing by car


    Distracted driving is responsible for more than 25% of all car crash fatalities and is the second leading cause of fatal collisions in BC. Every year, an average of 76 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 Supt. Holly Turton, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Traffic Services. Ask yourself if it is worth your life or someone else’s 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 = 4 points or driving without due care = 6 points) start at $368 and 4 penalty points for a minimum of $620 for the first offence, and the costs increase with each subsequent offence. In addition, your insurance costs may be affected.


    And, while seatbelt compliance is generally quite high in BC, on average, 52 people are killed every year in collisions that may have been survivable had restraints been worn.


    Occupant restraints refers to all occupants of your vehicle, including children who are required to be secured in approved infant or child seats, appropriate to age and height. 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.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Man, Daughter Found Dead In Ontario Park Suffered Injuries Consistent With Fall: Police

    Halton regional police said the father and daughter, whose identities were not released, had gone for a hike at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area in Milton, Ont., around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

    Man, Daughter Found Dead In Ontario Park Suffered Injuries Consistent With Fall: Police

    Ins And Outs Of Travel Insurance Amid Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

    Travellers nervous about globe-trotting during the novel coronavirus outbreak may be eligible to receive a refund for cancelling their travels, say insurance experts, but it depends on the destination, their insurance policy and other factors.

    Ins And Outs Of Travel Insurance Amid Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

    Renewed Team Will Help B.C. Build On First Year Of Climate Action

    A renewed provincial council will advise government and track progress on CleanBC initiatives to reduce pollution and create new opportunities for people around the province.

    Renewed Team Will Help B.C. Build On First Year Of Climate Action

    Deltaport Re-Opened After Delta Police Arrest 14 Protesters

    Deltaport Re-Opened After Delta Police Arrest 14 Protesters
    Monday morning police spoke to protesters about the injunction, and informed them that any protesters who did not leave of their own accord would soon face arrest. A liaison from the protesters indicated to police that a number of protesters intended to be arrested.  

    Deltaport Re-Opened After Delta Police Arrest 14 Protesters

    ‘Operation Double-Take’ Yields Results, Making Surrey Drivers Think Twice

    Surrey RCMP is sharing encouraging results from the first three months of ‘Operation Double-Take’, a road safety initiative that was launched in partnership with Vision Zero Surrey and ICBC.  

    ‘Operation Double-Take’ Yields Results, Making Surrey Drivers Think Twice

    21st Annual Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade Taking Place On April 25

    21st Annual Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade Taking Place On April 25
    The 21st annual Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade, a celebration of the birth of the Sikh faith, will take place on Saturday, April 25.

    21st Annual Surrey Vaisakhi Day Parade Taking Place On April 25