BC Highway Patrol says distracted driving and seatbeltless passengers continue to present issues along the province’s roadways.
Officers handed out 260 violation tickets to Kootenay drivers caught behind the wheel using an electronic device or had seatbelt violations.
Throughout B.C., Highway Patrol officers issued over 3,000 violation tickets during their March Distracted Drivers and Occupant Restraint Campaign.
“Across the province in March, BC Highway Patrol wrote almost 2,800 tickets for distracted driving,” said Superintendent Mike Coyle with BC Highway Patrol.
“We also wrote 873 tickets for people who were not wearing seatbelts, including 87 tickets to parents whose children were not properly secured.”
In the Kootenays, officers issued 149 tickets for using an electronic device while driving and 111 seatbelt infractions.
BC Highway Patrol officers used several tactics to enforce traffic laws in the Kootenays.
“In Nelson, police used the second floor of a parking garage to watch for distracted drivers,” said BC Highway Patrol.
“In Invermere, a BC Highway Patrol Body Worn Camera recorded a passenger trying to put on her seatbelt after being stopped.”
While distracted driving from electronic devices is relatively new, BC Highway Patrol officials say not wearing a seatbelt remains a persistent issue, despite their use being mandatory since 1977.
“The evidence is clear: If you do not wear your seatbelt, a totally survivable collision will often become fatal,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol.
“While securing your child with a car seat requires a little planning, your child’s life is worth it.”
Superintendent Coyle says B.C. drivers need to improve their safe driving habits.
“Many of these distracted driving tickets were written for people using the highway system- not merely those stopped at intersections,” said Coyle.
“These numbers prove two things: One, we need to do better. Two, everyone in BC is paying the consequences of collisions that come from high-risk driving behaviours.”
You can see regional statistics for the entire province below:
- Central/Okanagan Region: 1036 tickets for using an electronic device while driving and 300 seatbelt infractions.
- Kootenay Region: 149 tickets for using an electronic device and 111 seatbelt infractions.
- Northern Region: 153 tickets for using an electronic device while driving and 61 seatbelt infractions.
- South Coast/Lower Mainland Region: 603 tickets for using an electronic device and 145 seatbelt/occupant restraint tickets, including 37 for children who were improperly secured.
- Vancouver Island Region: 276 tickets for using an electronic device while driving and 61 seatbelt infractions.
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