DISTRACTED FEES ON THE RISE IN B.C.
New goal is to make distracted driving as unacceptable as driving drunk
Distracted driving is the secondleading cause of car accident deaths in B.C. according to ICBC, but our province actually had some of the lowest distracted driving fines in Canada.
This all changed May 9, when Public Safety Minister Mike Morris announced distracted driving fines would jump from $167 to $543 for a first-time ticket as of June 1. In addition, offenders will also receive four penalty points, up from three.
Drivers charged with further offences will pay more and earn more penalty points. A second offence within a year earns an $888 fine; a third offence will set you back $1,600. After two tickets, a driver’s licence is automatically reviewed with the potential for prohibitions lasting from three to 12 months.
These changes are well-founded. According to Central Saanich chief constable Les Sylven, more than 42,000 distracted driving tickets were given out between 2010 and 2014. Despite this, the yearly death rate for distracted driving never dropped below 60 people. The goal for the new policy, said Sylven, is to make distracted driving as unacceptable as driving drunk.
B.C. new car dealers recognize these increased penalties as a move in the right direction. Though new fines aren’t implemented until June, as drivers it’s important to commit to cutting out distracted driving now.
The first thing to remember is distracted driving isn’t just about cellphones. The law covers any hand-held electronic device, whether it’s a phone, GPS or audio player. This means you should send emails, program your route or choose music before you start the car.
If you still feel tempted to text behind the wheel, there are options. You could put your phone in the back seat or shut it off entirely while you’re in the car. If there are passengers, you could designate one to use your cell.
There are also many phone apps that disable texts and send calls to voicemail while on the road. For example, DriveSafe.ly automatically responds to texts and emails, while TextLimit disables phone features after reaching a pre-set speed.
Though going hands-free with your devices is legal if you meet certain parameters, it isn’t always better. Research shows it’s not the device that distracts you but the conversation you’re having.
According to RoadSafetyBC, talking on the phone with someone is more distracting than talking to someone in the car because passengers adjust their conversation to what is happening on the road. To stay completely safe, avoiding electronic devices entirely is the best option.
Finally, keep in mind many forms of distracted driving, such as doing your makeup or eating, aren’t covered by penalties. Use your discretion while behind the wheel and stay aware of your surroundings to ensure safety.
Auto Note: Those interested in entering B.C.’s auto industry now have access to additional scholarship funding. The Fraser Valley’s first Rigs and Rides Show is offering multiple scholarships of $1,000 for post-secondary education in the automotive field. Submissions are due June 5 with winners announced June 30.
In my May 6 column, I cited statistics from the Metro Vancouver Car Share Technical Report released in 2014 about how many ride-sharing vehicles are available in Vancouver. With car sharing’s exponential growth, these numbers have increased. As of 2016, ride-share provider Car2Go has more than 1,250 vehicles on the road, while Evo follows up with 600 cars.