West Shore RCMP partners with ICBC and BC Highway Patrol for distracted driving campaign

West Shore RCMP is partnering with ICBC and BCHP to remind drivers to avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.

Together on July 25, officers and volunteers will be stationed along the Veterans Memorial Parkway to help educate drivers and enforce distracted driving laws.

Distracted driving continues to be one of the leading contributors to fatal car crashes in the province. Drivers are nearly four times more likely to crash when using their cell phones.

Distracted driving-related crashes are all preventable and it starts with every driver staying focused on the road, said Colleen Woodger, ICBC road safety coordinator. It’s simple – keep your phone out of sight, program your GPS before you start driving, and mute all notifications. Let’s work together to make safer roads for everyone.

On average, nine people are killed and 1,185 are injured in distracted driving-related crashes on Vancouver Island every year.

Distracted driving continues to be an issue. That quick text or GPS adjustment is just not worth it. Every time a driver takes their eyes off the road, they are taking a major risk. Not only for themselves but everyone on the road, says Cpl Mike Jacobsen, West Shore Municipal Traffic Section.

Art work by a local West Shore student reminding people to leave the phone alone while driving.

In B.C., use of an electronic device while driving can result in a $368 ticket and four penalty points against the drivers licence under the Motor Vehicle Act.

For new drivers with their L or N, there could be even stricter penalties for distracted driving which including driving prohibitions. Learn more about graduated licensing.