Is that text, phone call or social media check-in while driving really worth risking your life or someone else’s? Delta Police say “no”, and during the month of March, they are educating drivers on the risks of distracted driving as part of ICBC’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
“Distracted Driving Awareness Month is not necessarily about police being out to ticket drivers, but about education, and the opportunity to have a conversation with drivers about the risks associated with this behavior,” said Const. Grayson Smith of the Traffic Services Unit. “We are continuing to see a surprising number of drivers who continue to use their phones, despite the known risk to other road users, and how long the laws have been in effect.”
During a recent distracted driving awareness campaign, Smith engaged with Twitter followers by asking (not while driving): “A violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving is $368. What do you think you can buy for that much money?”
“We were surprised by the amount of engagement in this single tweet. In addition to having some fun with our followers, we are also able to educate them on distracted driving, the risks and the rules associated,” added Smith.
Distracted driving, including using an electronic device while operating a vehicle, contributes to approximately 78 deaths a year in B.C., and is responsible for more than 27 per cent of car crash fatalities.
Throughout the month of March, you will see an increased presence of police officers and ICBC representatives in high traffic areas of Delta.
