A driver looked down for a moment to adjust his air conditioning. That’s all it took for him to rear-end the taxi in front of him. A propane tank was in its trunk. It exploded, killing the taxi driver, father of a 3-year old, and severely injuring his female passenger. (R v Chisholm, 2009 BCPC 23) An indescribable tragedy. A life lost, a serious injury, a young man burdened with life-long guilt.
On average, in BC alone, distracted driving takes the lead every year over impaired driving for traffic fatalities. (78 deaths from distracted driving versus 66 from impaired). * Keep in mind that these are only the accidental deaths. Distracted driving also causes countless injury. And it isn’t just texting. Anything that takes our attention away from the road is considered a distraction or careless driving. The province has recently cracked down on other forms of distracted driving, such as eating, drinking, doing our hair or makeup, adjusting controls, tending to a passenger, fatigue, or surprisingly, even being upset.
http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/eating-drinking-snacking-distracted-driving-bc-rcmp
Most of us are aware of the hefty penalties for cellphone use while driving. What a lot of us don’t realize is that this also includes using our cellphone when we’re stopped at a light or in traffic. Whether moving or idling, drivers who aren’t fully attentive can be ticketed. There are 2 exceptions: a hands-free device (class 5 drivers only), or while making a 911 call. L or N drivers are not permitted to use any electronic device (other than calling 911), and face all the penalties associated with using an electronic device while driving. The Motor Vehicle Act now has a separate section just for cellphone use.
When we’re in the driver’s seat, how can anything be more important than driving the car? Whatever it is that might distract us is far less important than everyone’s safety, including our own. Remember, driving is a privilege and not a right, so let’s be responsible. The trauma of a car accident is not worth the risk.
For more information on fines and penalties, see http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/fines-points-offences.aspx. To see what devices are permitted and prohibited, see https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/driving/publications/electronic-devices-while-driving.pdf.
*source: http://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/2017-Sept6.aspx
Contributed by Casey Trivett
Lawyer
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