A new Ipsos survey reveals that 42 per cent of drivers admit they still use their phone at least one out of every 10 trips. Yet of those B.C. drivers surveyed, 93 per cent believe it's highly risky to text while driving and 84 per cent believe it's highly risky to talk while holding a cell phone and driving.
Using electronic devices, like smart phones, is one of the most common and riskiest forms of distracted driving and increases the possibility of a crash by five times. In fact, any activity that reduces a driver's ability to focus on the road or control their vehicle puts the safety of other road users at risk.
ICBC and police across the province have launched a month-long campaign urging drivers to leave their phone alone while driving.
Police are ramping up enforcement of distracted driving across B.C., and community volunteers are conducting cell watch deployments to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road when they're behind the wheel.
According to ICBC, distracted driving accounts for more than one in four fatal crashes each year. It's the second leading contributing factor in traffic fatalities in B.C., behind speeding and ahead of impaired driving, and on average factors in 76 deaths annually.
“The use of electronic devices such as cellphones are the leading cause and most common of distraction-related crashes and near misses, and comes with a $368 violation ticket,” said Delta Police. “But, distraction is distraction, and if you're behind the wheel of a vehicle, you should be focused on one thing - driving.”
Drivers can do their part by avoiding distractions and encouraging others to do the same. Plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need before hitting the road, avoid looking at or interacting with screens and stay focused on the road when you drive.
“Over the course of many years the messages on distracted driving have become noise.
We come across numerous awareness and education messages on TV, social media, and billboards, and we even have actual cars involved in distracted driving crashes on display. But the message is lost,” said DPD Chief Neil Dubord, who also serves as Chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “The awareness campaigns have similar themes and deliver the message that if you text and drive you are not only breaking the law, but you more likely to get in an accident and hurt yourself and others…..You have heard them all before.
“We can all play a part in the fight to save lives by ending distracted driving.”
