Distracted driving is responsible for a quarter of fatal crashes in B.C.

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Distracted driving is responsible for a quarter of fatal crashes in B.C.

There were 300,000 crashes in 2015

Staff on September 2, 2016

Distracted driving is responsible for a quarter of fatal crashes in B.C., and the police, the provincial government and the ICBC have teamed up to combat it.

Drivers across the province are still using their cellphones, especially while waiting at red lights or in a traffic jam, police say.

“B.C. drivers know it’s against the law, but far too many still make excuses for their behaviour, and put themselves and others at risk by using their phone while driving,” said Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “That’s why we’re cracking down on those who cannot police themselves. Even when you’re waiting at an intersection or stuck in traffic, the law is clear – you aren’t permitted to use your phone.”

Insurance rates in B.C. are under pressure from the rising number of car crashes, said Steve Crombie, ICBC’s vice-president responsible for road safety. He notes that in 2015, there were 300,000 crashes, or more than 800 every day.

“Many of these crashes are caused by high-risk driving behaviours, including distracted driving. It’s time we all commit to leaving our phones alone and avoiding other forms of distraction when we’re behind the wheel.”

Distracted driving in B.C. infographic (ICBC)

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Distracted driving is responsible for a quarter of fatal crashes in B.C.