Richmond RCMP conduct distracted driving enforcement operation and awareness campaign for month of March

Richmond, Road Safety Unit

2024-03-05 12:23 PST

On March 1, 2024, Richmond RCMP joined forces with Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE), Transit Police, and BC Highway Patrol Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) to conduct a Joint Forces Operation (JFO) against distracted driving. The JFO kicks off a month-long province-wide campaign in partnership with ICBC to combat distracted driving, a leading cause of traffic incidents and fatalities on our roads.

View larger image: Photo of three enforcement officers standing in front of a commercial vehicle on the side of the road

During the JFO, Richmond RCMP engaged in active enforcement and public education with partner agencies and volunteers at multiple locations around the city, including Sea Island Way & Great Canadian Way, and Steveston Hwy & No. 5 Road.

Results indicate numerous drivers engaged in educational conversations with officers and partners. In total, 107 charges were laid under the Motor Vehicle Act, 70 for use of an electronic device while driving. Distracted driving violation tickets include penalties of $368 and 4 driver penalty points, which result in higher premiums. Drivers with two convictions for using an electronic device while driving in a three-year period will face as much as $2,000 in fines and penalties, over and above any vehicle insurance premiums. Drivers with a full licence who receive two or more tickets in a year will also have their driving records reviewed by the Superintendent and may face a prohibition of between three and 12 months.

View larger image: Photo of three community volunteers and partners holding clipboards and smiling

Safe and focused driving is not just a personal responsibility but a community-wide commitment. We remind everyone that when you’re behind the wheel, your only focus should be the road. We’ve seen time and again that most rear-end crashes resulting in injury involve distracted drivers. This is a clear call to action for all drivers to leave your phone alone. We are thankful for the dedication of our partners and volunteers who stand with us in the pursuit of safer roads for everyone, said Inspector Mark Baxter, Richmond RCMP.

View larger image: Photo of three Richmond RCMP officers standing in front of a police vehicle on the side of the road

The month of March is dedicated to Distracted Driving awareness province-wide, and Richmond RCMP have partnered with ICBC to raise public awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, and will continue collaborating with partners throughout the month to enhance community awareness and enforce safe driving practices.

Statistics:

• Distracted and inattentive driving is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal car crashes in B.C. On average, distraction is a factor in 5,788 police-reported injuries and 78 deaths each year. *
• Distracted driving is a contributing factor in 38% of all police-reported crashes in B.C. *

*Five-year annual average based on police data from 2018 to 2022. Distraction: where one or more of the vehicles involved had contributing factors including use of communication/video equipment, driver inattentive and driver internal/external distraction.

Tips to avoid distracted driving:

• Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind. Put it in the closed glove box or centre console before you start driving.

For more information on distracted driving, please visit Distracted driving (icbc.com).

Know the law on how to use electronic devices while driving.

View larger image: Group photo of Richmond RCMP officers, partner agencies, and volunteers standing together behind a table

Released by

Cpl. Adriana O'Malley

Email: richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp.ca

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