Police in the Tri-Cities are urging drivers to put their phones away.
Coquitlam RCMP and Port Moody Police Department said they will be stepping up enforcement in March as part of Distracted Driving Month, cracking down on what they say are the one in three British Columbians who admit to using their cellphones while driving.
"We will have extra enforcement all month," Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said, adding Mounties will be working with Port Moody Police and ICBC for a major "distracted driving blitz" March 10.
"Consider this your fair warning," he said.
According to ICBC statistics, motorists are five times more likely to get into a collision when they are on their phone. Still, that does not stop many drivers from checking their electronic devices, behaviour ICBC says claims 26 lives in the Lower Mainland each year and 76 across B.C.
Motorists caught texting or talking on their phone will face a ticket with a $368 fine. Police said that when the four penalty points are factored in at a cost of $252, the total is $620 for one violation.
A second distracted driving ticket within 12 months could increase the fine to more than $2,500, according to ICBC. More than 1,335 distracted driving tickets are issue each year.
"The best-case scenario is that you will make the decision to put your phone away and focus on the road," said McLaughlin. "That will make you safer and cost you nothing. Obviously, we know that won't happen for some of you, so part of educating people will have to include writing tickets until it does."
ICBC has some helpful tips for those who have difficulty putting their phone down.
They encourage drivers who have iPhones to activate Apple's Do Not Disturb While Driving feature and free "not while driving" decals are available at ICBC driver licensing offices and participating Autoplan brokers.
"Using electronic devices, like smartphones, is one of the most common and riskiest forms of distracted driving," said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC's vice-president of public affairs and driver licensing. "Safer roads start with every driver making a conscious decision to focus on the road and leave their phones alone. Let's all do our part to create a safer driving culture in B.C."
