Police are out enforcing distracted driving laws in full force this month in a partnership between ICBC and the New Westminster Police Department.
Distracted driving is a factor in about a quarter of all fatal crashes in the province, according to a news release put out by the NWPD. With that in mind, the NWPD’s traffic unit members and volunteers will be out in various locations to keep an eye out for distracted drivers.
“By this point, people know that using any electronic device while driving is against the law,” said Sgt. Greg Smith of the NWPD traffic unit, adding that it’s still not OK while idling at a red light.
“When you’re sitting at a light, motorists need to remain alert to their immediate surroundings and ready to proceed when the light turns green.”
On average, 27 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in the Lower Mainland, and according to the NWPD news release, crashes reached a high in 2017 – many of which were caused by distracted or inattentive driving.
Although cellphones get a lot of attention in this issue, police caution that distracted driving could include anything that impacts drivers’ ability to focus on the road.
The NWPD traffic unit is urging drivers to keep phones out of site and, if using Apple devices, activate the “do not disturb while driving” feature or the “in-traffic reply” feature on Samsung phones.
Fines for distracted driving are $368 on top of four penalty points added to the driver’s record.
