Saanich Police will be participating in a month long enforcement project to combat distracted driving. This project is sponsored by the BC Association of Chief’s of Police and will run for the entire month of February. For the first 5 days of February Saanich Police issued 57 Violation tickets for distracted driving under section 214.2 of the Motor Vehicle Act, “use an electronic device while driving”.
Saanich Police would like to remind everyone that distracted driving is a leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. Statistics show that almost a quarter of all fatal crashes in B.C. are related to using cell phones while drivinig. When you’re distracted behind the wheel your reaction time is significantly reduced. You are four times more likely to crash when talking on a hand held cellphone while driving and 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving. On average 91 traffic deaths each year in B.C. are attributed to distracted driving.
The fine for distracted driving is $167. The law applies even when you’re stopped at a traffic light or in bumper to bumper traffic.
Staff Sergeant Rob Piercy
Unit Commander
Traffic Safety Unit