BC Highway Patrol says too many Vancouver Island drivers are still picking up their phones or skipping their seatbelts, and September’s enforcement numbers show it.
During September’s distracted driving and seat belt wearing blitz, police issued 76 tickets for cellphone use and 79 for seatbelt or occupant restraint violations Vancouver Island.
“It’s simple. If we can get fewer people driving while distracted, and more people wearing their seatbelts, we’ll save more lives,” said Superintendent Mike Coyle with BC Highway Patrol.
“We’ll keep writing tickets for those who don’t follow the law, but the real goal is public safety.”
Across the province, police handed out a total of 734 distracted driving tickets and 456 seatbelt-related tickets. Vancouver Island numbers represent roughly one-tenth of all tickets issued during the campaign.
Coyle noted that as fall settles in and daylight hours get shorter, the stakes get even higher for anyone not paying attention behind the wheel.
“As we move into the Halloween season, and the days get darker and wetter, it’s even more important that drivers eliminate distractions,” he said.
“Pedestrians are harder to see in the rain and darkness, and you need all your focus to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your community safe.”
