B.C. Mounties Warn Drivers to Put Phones Down and Buckle Up as Distracted Driving Crackdown Looms

Drivers across British Columbia are being warned that police will increase enforcement against distracted driving and seatbelt violations as authorities focus on behaviours that continue to contribute to serious collisions and deaths on the province’s roads.

The BC Highway Patrol is preparing to target motorists who use mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving, fail to wear seatbelts or improperly restrain children inside vehicles.

Police say the message is straightforward: drivers need to put their phones away, buckle up and avoid making personal exceptions to basic road safety rules.

BC Highway Patrol Supt. Lori Orstad said motorists should already understand that handling a cellphone while driving is illegal and that seatbelts must be worn whenever a vehicle is being driven.

However, police continue to encounter drivers who believe they can safely make an exception, particularly when they are stopped temporarily or only using a device for a few seconds.

Authorities are emphasizing that even brief interaction with a phone can constitute distracted driving.

A driver who handles an electronic device while behind the wheel can face a $368 fine. Police are also reminding motorists that stopping at a traffic light does not automatically make it legal to pick up or operate a phone.

According to the BC Highway Patrol, drivers are allowed only one touch of a screen to activate or end a telephone call. Any additional handling can result in enforcement for distracted driving.

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in British Columbia. Police identify it alongside speeding and impaired driving as one of the province’s three major contributors to deaths on the road.

The enforcement campaign will also focus heavily on seatbelt compliance.

A driver or passenger who fails to wear a required seatbelt can receive a $167 fine. The same penalty can apply when a vehicle is being operated with an inoperative seatbelt.

Police are also paying particular attention to children travelling in vehicles.

Motorists can receive a $109 fine for transporting a child who is not properly restrained. Penalties can also apply when an inappropriate infant restraint system is used based on a child’s height or weight.

Authorities say proper child restraints are especially important because young passengers are more vulnerable during collisions.

The campaign is designed not only to issue tickets but also to remind drivers that many of the rules being enforced are simple safety measures that can prevent devastating consequences.

Police say seatbelts do not cost anything and take only a few seconds to fasten. Yet failing to use one can dramatically increase the consequences of a collision.

The warning comes as BC Highway Patrol officers prepare for increased enforcement in September. Motorcycle officers and other police personnel will be watching for drivers who are distracted, unrestrained or otherwise violating basic traffic safety requirements.

The growing dependence on smartphones has made distracted driving a continuing challenge for police. Drivers may use phones for navigation, messages, calls, music or other functions, but authorities stress that convenience does not override road safety laws.

Even when traffic appears to be moving slowly, drivers remain responsible for maintaining control of their vehicles and paying attention to surrounding traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.

Police are particularly concerned about the tendency of motorists to underestimate the danger of looking away from the road.

A few seconds of distraction can be enough for a vehicle to travel a significant distance or for an unexpected situation to develop. A pedestrian can step onto the road, another vehicle can brake suddenly or traffic conditions can change without warning.

The same principle applies to seatbelts. Modern vehicles contain numerous safety systems, but police say those systems cannot replace the basic protection provided by a properly worn seatbelt.

The BC Highway Patrol is therefore urging motorists to establish safe habits before starting their journey.

Drivers should put their phones somewhere they cannot easily reach, activate hands-free functions when appropriate and ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled before moving.

Parents and caregivers should also check that children are using the correct restraint for their age, height and weight.

Police say enforcement is necessary because education alone has not eliminated dangerous driving habits.

The September crackdown is intended to reinforce the idea that road safety rules apply every time a vehicle is on the road, regardless of whether a driver believes the journey is short or the situation is harmless.

For motorists, the message from police is simple: put the phone down, fasten the seatbelt and keep attention focused on the road.

The few seconds required to buckle up or leave a phone untouched could make the difference between arriving safely and becoming involved in a life changing collision.

Courtesy: castanet