While distracted driving awareness month has come to an end, that doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean local police and ICBC are taking their foot off the gas when it comes to enforcement.
The West Shore RCMP was out on Sept. 28 conducting a distracted blitz not only as a part of distracted driving awareness month, but to crack down on those who canB次元官网网址檛 leave their phones alone while driving.
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B次元官网网址淭his is part of our provincial campaign,B次元官网网址� said Colleen Woodger, ICBC road safety co-ordinator. B次元官网网址淚CBC is reminding motorists to take a break from their phone when theyB次元官网网址檙e driving. Driving takes your full attention and when you are using a phone or you are distracted by other means, you are taking your focus away from the road and you are about five times more likely to crash using a hand held electronic device.B次元官网网址�
The campaign on the West Shore is in partnership with the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 integrated road safety unit and the West Shore RCMPB次元官网网址檚 traffic unit.
B次元官网网址淒istracted driving is a real concern,B次元官网网址� Woodger added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 killing more people in our province than impaired driving and that is a huge issue yet people do it every day.B次元官网网址�
On average, Woodger said eight people are killed each year on Vancouver Island due to distracted driving.
B次元官网网址淲hen you really think about it, this is a preventable crash,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f people plan ahead and think about what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing, they can actually prevent this from happening.B次元官网网址�
Intersections are where most infractions can be seen. Woodger said that is where many people will slow down and check their phone.
B次元官网网址淚t is illegal and a $368 fine and four points,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淲hen you start getting into multiple tickets, and many people do, that cost goes up and those points keep going and at that point your drivers license may be reviewed B次元官网网址� for a prohibition.B次元官网网址�
Const. Alex Berube said while there is no definition of distracted driving under the Motor Vehicle Act, drivers can still be ticketed for driving without due care.
B次元官网网址淭he Motor Vehicle Act does not define distracted driving itself,B次元官网网址� Berube said. B次元官网网址淲hat I mean by that is, there wonB次元官网网址檛 be a ticket with the words B次元官网网址榙istracted drivingB次元官网网址� on it. It encompasses activities or gestures that you might do as a driver that will constitute as a distracted driving infraction.B次元官网网址�
Berube used the example of a driver eating a sandwich with one hand, while driving with the other.
B次元官网网址淵ou start spilling food on you, you try to clean yourself up while driving, obviously this will affect your driving and your observations on the road,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou are disturbed by it and this is what causes your distracted driving. It falls under the category of driving without due care under the Motor Vehicle Act.B次元官网网址�
