More than 30 driver were hit with hefty fines during the first week of an RCMP campaign to clamp down on distracted driving.
In all 36 tickets were issued for the offence, which carries a $368 fine with four demerit points.
This fine coupled with the $175 ICBC driver penalty point premium, pushes the penalty up to $543.
Another 31 tickets were issued fro seatbelt violations, which carry a $167 fine.
Distracted driving has surpassed impaired driving to become the second leading cause of car crashes in British Columbia and contributes to an average of 81 deaths in crashes every year in the province.
"If you need to make a call or text please pull over and park your car," RCMP said. "Remember it is illegal to use your device at red lights and stop signs. You must be pulled off the travel portion of the roadway and parked."
The tickets were issued as part of a month-long campaign.
