BC Highway Patrol Focusing On Distracted Driving And Seat Belts In March

BC Highway Patrol is focusing on education through enforcement in March, highlighting the double dangers of driving while distracted, and failing to wear a seat belt.

March is Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint month.

Noting figures from ICBC, BC Highway Patrol says distracted driving has become such a problem in BC that it’s now at least as deadly as driving while impaired.

Distracted driving, along with speeding and impaired driving, is consistently one of the top three contributors to fatal crashes in BC, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin.

He says many drivers are hoping to get off with a warning but says “distracted driving is so risky that your warning will be a violation ticket.”

While distraction from phones and screens is relatively recent, BC Highway Patrol still finds a surprising number of people who are not using seat belts even though restraints have been mandatory since 1977.

Corporal McLaughlin says the evidence is clear: If you do not wear your seatbelt, a totally survivable collision will often become fatal.

An average of 53 people are dying every year in BC because they are not wearing seat belts properly.

To learn more, visit Royal Canadian Mounted Police.