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B.C. considers raising penalties for distracted driving


June 17, 2015   by Canadian Underwriter


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The government of British Columbia is considering raising penalties for distracted driving and is now asking provincial residents to offer their input online with the launch of a four-week consultation that runs until July 16.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton announced the consultation on Tuesday

A new website – https://engage.gov.bc.ca/distracteddriving/ – will collect comments as British Columbians consider whether B.C.’s current fine of $167 and three penalty points is sufficient to deter a behaviour that is now the second-leading contributing factor in motor vehicle deaths on B.C. roads, the provincial Ministry of Justice said in a statement on Tuesday. Questions will include the following:

• Should drivers caught texting face greater sanctions than those talking on a hand-held device?;

• Should new drivers or repeat offenders face greater penalties?; and

• Should sanctions such as prohibitions and vehicle impoundments be considered?

The new website reported that distracted driving, in all of its forms, is the second-highest contributing factor to motor vehicle related fatalities in B.C., with 88 deaths per year. “It is estimated that over 9,500 drivers are using a hand-held device while driving at any given time in B.C., with 40% of those drivers texting behind the wheel,” the website said.

The province estimates that more than 9,500 drivers are using a hand-held device while driving at “any given time” in B.C., with 40% of those drivers texting behind the wheel

In 2014, police issued approximately 55,100 tickets to drivers who were caught using an electronic device behind the wheel – in 2013, they issued about 53,000.

Last fall, B.C. increased the penalty points for using a hand-held electronic device while driving, from zero to three, in addition to the $167 fine. However, the fine amount is still the second-lowest in Canada, behind Quebec. Penalties vary considerably from province to province, the statement said. In Nova Scotia, the maximum fine amount is $579, while Ontario’s is $500. Ontario also recently passed legislation to change the maximum fine amount to $1,000.

Related: Ontario increases penalties for drivers who text, email, talk on handheld phone

“We’ve heard the calls that people want more protection from distracted drivers and we agree there’s more work to be done,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton in the statement. “This is a chance for British Columbians to tell us their thoughts on distracted driving sanctions and how they would stop this dangerous behaviour.”

Steve Crombie, vice president of corporate and stakeholder governance with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, said that engaging with drivers across the province is an important step in addressing this serious issue. “We know some drivers still aren’t getting the message that no call or text is worth risking your life.”

Following the consultation, RoadSafetyBC will consider the feedback in its recommendations for any revisions to distracted driving penalties in B.C.


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