It's a message police will never let up on enforcing: leave the phone alone.
For the month of Sept., police and ICBC throughout B.C. will be increasing distracted driving enforcement with the campaign including new TV and radio advertising plus digital and social media.
In a recent survey done by Ipsos Reid for the insurance corporation, most drivers said distracted driving has led to an increase in crashes, but one-third of those drivers said they use their phone at least one out of every ten trips.
Regional statistics provided by ICBC show each regional yearly average of distracted driving-related crashes:
- Every year, on average, 27 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in the Lower Mainland
- Every year, on average, nine people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes on Vancouver Island
- Every year, on average, 30 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in the Southern Interior
- Every year, on average, 13 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in the North Central region
ICBC interim vice-president responsible for road safety, Lindsay Matthews, says injuries seen in distracted driving crashes are easily avoidable.
"It's impossible to multi-task while driving without greatly increasing your chance of crashing," she says. "It takes about 4.6 seconds to send a text message – that's like driving with your eyes closed for an entire city block. The majority of all injuries are predictable and preventable, and this is especially true with distracted driving. Leave your phone alone!"
If the thought of injury or death from distracted driving doesn't concern you, think about the financial consequences.
Using an electronic device while driving is a $368 dollar fine and four points against your licence. Emailing or texting while driving is also a $368 dollar fine and four points against your licence. But that's not all. You will also be charged with a $175 ICBC Driver Penalty Point Premium which will be a total of $543 for your first infraction.
Penalties are an increase from previous amounts of $167 and three penalty points. These changes were effective as of June 1 of 2016.
ICBC says free 'not while driving' decals are available at ICBC driver licensing offices and participating Autoplan brokers.
