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BC Highway Patrol
2025-04-09 13:26 PDT
BC, we have a problem with using our phones while driving; we also have a long way to go towards using seatbelts and car seats properly.
BC Highway Patrol found more evidence of these road safety problems during the March Distracted Drivers and Occupant Restraint Campaign.
Across the province in March, BC Highway Patrol wrote almost 2,800 tickets for distracted driving, says Superintendent Mike Coyle with BC Highway Patrol. We also wrote 873 tickets for people who were not wearing seatbelts, including 87 tickets to parents whose children were not properly secured.
Across the province in March, BC Highway Patrol wrote almost 2,800 tickets for distracted driving,
We also wrote 873 tickets for people who were not wearing seatbelts, including 87 tickets to parents whose children were not properly secured.
View a higher-resolution photo: A police Body-Worn Camera captures a passenger trying a fasten her seatbelt after being stopped by BC Highway Patrol in Invermere, BC
In Nelson, police used the second floor of a parking garage to watch for distracted drivers. In Invermere, a BC Highway Patrol Body Worn Camera recorded a passenger trying to put on her seatbelt after being stopped. Another driver who was driving while on her cell phone was also found to be under the influence of alcohol and received a driving suspension.
View a higher-resolution photo: Can you spot the police? A Nelson BC Highway Patrol officer uses the third floor of a parking garage to alert his partners about distracted drivers
Some of the campaign numbers include:
Many of these distracted driving tickets were written for people using the highway system- not merely those stopped at intersections, says Superintendent Coyle. These numbers prove two things: One, we need to do better. Two, everyone in BC is paying the consequences of collisions that come from high-risk driving behaviours.
Many of these distracted driving tickets were written for people using the highway system- not merely those stopped at intersections,
These numbers prove two things: One, we need to do better. Two, everyone in BC is paying the consequences of collisions that come from high-risk driving behaviours.
View a higher-resolution photo: A BC Highway Patrol officer writes a distracted driving ticket in Richmond, BC
Tickets for not wearing a seatbelt range from $109 (for a child who is improperly restrained) to $167 for an adult who fails to wear a seatbelt. A ticket for using an electronic device while driving carries a $368 fine.
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Email: bchp_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca Website: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/highway-patrol
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