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Distracted driving was a key aspect of a month-long enforcement campaign held last month.
high-risk driving

‘It is concerning:’ police nab numerous high-risk drivers during blitz

Apr 4, 2025 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — Police followed through on a pledge to write tickets during a month-long safe driving campaign.

BC Highway Patrol’s (BCHP) four Vancouver Island based units teamed up to focus on distracted and improperly restrained drivers/passengers during the month of March.

The campaign netted nearly 300 distracted drivers, primarily those handling their cell phones while behind the wheel.

“That’s still a stat we’d like to see go way down,” BCHP Insp. Adam Tallboy said.

Monetary penalties for illegally using an electronic device for a standard motorist are $368 and four demerit points.

Other forms of distracted driving infractions without the use of a device can result in a $196 fine and six demerit points.

Evidently not wearing a seatbelt is still commonplace for some, with nearly 50 occupants handed tickets for being improperly restrained.

“It is concerning,” Tallboy said candidly regarding those not properly buckled up.

“Especially since occupant restraints and/or seatbelts (regulations) have been around since the late 70’s and people still aren’t getting the message that by wearing your seatbelt it does increase the likelihood of surviving crashes.”

Improperly secured child seats and seatbelt infractions carry fines of $109 and $167 respectively.

Province-wide data on the high-risk driving campaign held throughout March by BCHP personnel is expected next week.

According to ICBC data, an average of 10 people died annually in Vancouver Island crashes involving distracted driving between 2019 and 2023, while a total of 80 people died in B.C. over the period where distracted driving was deemed a contributing factor.

– with files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 FM The Eagle

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