BC RCMP warn drivers: stay off your phone, buckle up, and follow the rules this March to avoid fines and keep roads safe.
RCMP Targets Distracted Drivers Across B.C.
Are you guilty of checking your playlist or fiddling with your GPS while behind the wheel? If so, the RCMP’s Highway Patrol in British Columbia wants your full attention.
March marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and law enforcement is sending a clear message: focus on the road—or face consequences.
“Commuters now have advance warning, so there should be no excuses,” said Insp. Brian Donaldson in a statement. “If drivers ignore the rules, enforcement is coming.”
The Real Cost of Distracted Driving
RoadSafetyBC reports that distracted driving ranks among the top three causes of collisions leading to serious injuries and fatalities in the province, alongside impaired driving and speeding.
Fines are steep: $368 for using an electronic device while driving, and the same for new drivers who breach restrictions.
And March isn’t just about phones. Police are also highlighting seat belt safety. Not buckling up is a leading cause of death in crashes, and the rules extend to children in proper car seats.
Seat Belts and Car Seats: No Exceptions
Rural drivers will see more patrols, while urban motorists often struggle with the complex car seat regulations.
Failing to buckle up? That’s $167. Failing to secure a child in a proper seat? $109.
“We’re asking every driver to put the phone away, buckle up, and ensure children are safely secured,” said Donaldson.
What Counts as Distracted Driving
Distracted driving isn’t just texting. It includes phone calls, grooming, and searching for music.
B.C. law allows hands-free devices that are voice-activated or require a single touch to answer or end a call. GPS devices can be used if programmed before driving or controlled by voice. Hand-held GPS is only permitted if securely mounted, not blocking the view, and never held while driving.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
The message is simple: phones down, seat belts on, and kids properly buckled. The RCMP is watching, and the fines are real—but so is the risk to your life and the lives of others.
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