British Columbia to increase penalties next year for distracted drivers
VICTORIA — Distracted drivers in British Columbia will soon face higher penalties in a government effort to stop a habit that kills an average of 78 people in motor vehicle accidents every year.
Attorney General David Eby said Monday he will move to designate distracted driving as a high-risk behaviour similar to impaired driving and excessive speeding under the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s driver risk premium program.
The changes due March 1 will target repeat offenders, meaning a driver with two tickets for distracted driving over a three-year period will see total financial penalties rise to as much as $2,000, an increase of $740 over current penalties.
“It’s pretty clear to me we need to make a cultural change in B.C. where people understand distracted driving is similar to drinking and driving or excessive speeding in terms of the deaths and misery on the roads,” Eby said.