The BC Highway Patrol and CRD Integrated Traffic Safety Traffic Unit kicked off Distracted Driving Awareness month in the province by watching for drivers who weren’t looking at the road.
On Friday, March 3rd, officers conducted enforcement in Saanich. As a result of the operation, 44 tickets were issued for using electronic devices and 22 additional tickets were issued for other Motor Vehicle Act offences.
In a media release, Staff Sergeant Adam Tallboy, the acting OIC of BCHP Vancouver Island, said “distracted driving is something that is entirely preventable.”
“As a driver, it is your responsibility to let those calls go to voicemail and to refrain from texting until you’re pulled over safely at your destination. Safe driving unequivocally starts with you,” said Tallboy.
Working with @BCHwyPatrol CRD IRSU yesterday in Saanich, our combined enforcement of 5 hours resulted in 80 violations cited, 50 of which were motorists using their phones while driving. Please #LeaveYourPhoneAlone and focus on the road and your surrounds. #DistractedDrivingMonth pic.twitter.com/Uw34MQ2F3k
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) March 11, 2023
Motorists can expect to see many more such checks throughout the month of March and beyond.
A week later, on Saturday March 11th, Saanich Police and the BC Highway Patrol issued 80 violation tickets, 50 of those were for distracted driving where motorists were caught using their phones within a five hour span.
