B.C. Highway Patrol will focus on distracted driving and seatbelt use in September as part of a provincewide enforcement campaign.
The RCMP is reminding drivers that ignoring distracted-driving and seatbelt laws puts people at risk.
“Everybody should know by now that it’s illegal to handle your cell phone behind the wheel, and that you need to wear a seatbelt while a vehicle is driving,” said Supt. Lori Orstad of B.C. Highway Patrol. “But people are creating exceptions for themselves, and that’s why we have to educate through enforcement.”
Drivers can face a $368 fine for using an electronic device while driving, a $167 fine for not wearing a seatbelt and a $109 fine for failing to properly restrain a child or infant.
“Seatbelts are completely free, cost only a couple of seconds to use, and could save your life and the lives of your loved ones,” said Orstad. “And if you handle your phone, even at a stoplight, that’s distracted driving. You are permitted only one screen touch to activate or stop a call.”
The RCMP said distracted driving is consistently one of the top three causes of death on B.C. roads, alongside speeding and impairment.
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