A province-wide campaign is ongoing during March and police will be targeting those individuals who drive while distracted or those not wearing a seatbelt.
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 pull over and park your car. Remember it is illegal to use your device at red lights and stop signs. You must be pulled off the travel portion of the road and parked.
Distracted Driving carries a $368 fine with 4 demerit points. This fine coupled with the ICBC Driver Penalty Point Premium of $175, pushes the financial penalty of distracted driving to $543. The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is $167.00
The following are a few reminders;
Do not text or talk while stopped at a red light. The law still applies even when you are stopped at a red light;
If you are a class 7 driver you are not permitted to use any sort of electronic device, including a Bluetooth; and the only time you are exempt for using your phone is to call 911 for an emergency.
Even in this case you should pull over as soon as you can to make your call.