March is "leave the phone alone" month as police and ICBC launch a distracted driving campaign to battle the second-leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C.
According to statistics from the insurance company, each year, an average of 88 people in B.C. are killed due to distracted driving - about 30 of them in the Lower Mainland.
The campaign will include community policing Cell Watch volunteers, who will be out reminding drivers to leave their phones alone, as well as ICBC road safety co-ordinators, who will attend community events with a driving simulator for the public to try.
Drivers who want to take a stand against distracted driving and encourage others to do the same, can pick up a decal from ICBC driver licensing offices and participating Autoplan brokers.
Police officers in the Tri-Cities will be stepping up their enforcement as well.
Port Moody Police Const. Luke van Winkel said officers will be at a variety of locations throughout March to remind drivers to leave the phone alone - and that reminder could come with a $167 ticket (and three penalty points).
Van Winkel also reminded drivers that the laws also apply while a vehicle is stopped at a red light and drivers with an L or N are prohibited from using any personal electronic devices, even with a hands-free system in place.
The use of handheld devices has been prohibited since 2010; here's a refresher on the specifics:
No holding, operating, communicating or watching the screen of a device.
No sending or receiving text messages or email.
L and N drivers are prohibited from using any device - including GPS units or hands-free devices - unless safely parked off the road or to call 911.
Drivers not in the Graduated Licensing Program are permitted to use a hands-free phone that is voice-activated or requires only one touch to initiate, accept or end a call.
If the device includes an earpiece, it can be worn in one ear only and must be placed in the ear prior to driving (motorcyclists are excepted).
The handheld device must be securely fixed to the vehicle or worn securely on the body and within easy reach of the driver's seat.
Manual dialling is prohibited and is treated as texting.
GPS devices must be programmed before driving or done so by voice-activation.
@spayneTC
