Richmond RCMP and other law enforcement agencies held a joint operation in Richmond last week to kick off a month-long distracted driving awareness campaign.
Held on March 1, the crackdown took place at Sea Island Way and Great Canadian Way, as well as Steveston Highway and No. 5 Road, among other spots around the city.
A total of 107 charges laid under the Motor Vehicle Act including 70 for using electronic devices while driving.
Officers and partners were also able to engage in educational conversations with drivers, said Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Adriana O'Malley.
The operation was a joint effort in partnership with Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement, Transit Police and BC Highway Patrol's Integrated Road Safety Unit and is part of Richmond RCMP and ICBC's month-long campaign to combat distracted driving.
Distracted driving tickets come with a fine of $368 and four penalty points, leading to higher insurance premiums.
Those who receive two convictions within three years for using an electronic device while driving can get fines and penalties as high as $2,000, and drivers with a full licence who get two or more tickets in a year may face driving prohibitions between three and 12 months after a review by the Superintendent.
"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," said Richmond RCMP's Insp. Mark Baxter. He added he was thankful for the dedication of partners and volunteers in the campaign.
Police data from 2018 to 2022 shows distraction was a factor in 5,788 police-reported injuries and 78 deaths per year.
In B.C., distracted driving is considered a contributing factor in 38 per cent of all police-reported crashes and one of the main factors in fatal car crashes.
"This is a clear call to action for all drivers to leave your phone alone," said Baxter
Police advise drivers to keep their phones "out of sight and out of mind" by putting them in a closed glove box or centre console before driving.
More information on distracted driving is available on ICBC's website. To learn more about the law on using electronic devices while driving, click here.
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