Distracted driving has been a hot button topic in recent months, as the fine for a first-time offense jumped exponentially. In June of this year, the penalty for distracted driving more than doubled, rising from $167 to $368. Along with this fee, drivers will also receive four demerit points. This increases the cost from the offense, since ICBC charges a Driver Penalty Point (DPP) premium to any motorist who receives more than 3 demerit points in 12 months.
Fines per Offence
For the first offence, the driver receives a DPP of $175, making the total penalty $543. A second distracted driving ticket within 12 months will incur an $888 fee and a third will cost over $3,000. However, it may not be possible to receive a third fine since driving while using an electronic device is considered a high-risk offence. This means that if a driver receives 2 or more tickets with 12 months their driving record will be reviewed and they face the potential risk of a driving prohibition. If the driver is a novice and is caught operating an electronic device, they face suspension after the first offence.
These new regulations may seem unreasonable to some but the B.C. government is trying to crack down on offenders. Last year alone, 66 people died from distracted driving and more than 600 people were seriously injured. By implementing these new, stringent guidelines, the government hopes to deter distracted drivers and reduce the number of traffic incidents caused by this violation.
Guidelines for Using Hand-Held Devices
Drivers may still be permitted to use their hand-held devices while in a vehicle, if they follow the appropriate guidelines. Use of a cellular phone is allowed if the individual is making an emergency call to police, fire or ambulance. Otherwise, they must use a hands-free device or be safely parked in an area not impeding traffic in order to use an electronic device.
While the penalties may seem steep, the steps are necessary for reducing the number of traffic incidents.
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