Fines for distracted driving are being handed out frequently these days. In addition, the penalties for the offences are increasing.
It is no secret that ICBC is in trouble. In fact, after the auto-insurance provider hiked rates in September, 2017, news broke that they were its debt staggered around $1 billion.
In the same month that ICBC hiked its rates, the government launched a Provincial Distracted Driving campaign. Since that time, there have been a vast array of tickets issued for the infraction.
Now, the government is moving to describe driving distracted as “high risk” driving. This means that the penalties are a great deal stiffer. If you’re caught distracted behind the wheel twice in a three year period you could get fined a staggering $2000.
Not only will repeat offenders incur this enormous fine, but additional offences could mean a revoked license. They may not be able to drive for 3 months up to year.
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Distracted Driving and ICBC
An interesting thing to note, however, is why the government is choosing to highlight mobile phones in their campaign.
According to Acuman Law Corporation, “Authorities in BC such as ICBC claim 78 people die per year due to distracted driving. They imply that these numbers are in all respects tied to cell phone use. But the truth is the number of cases where someone is seriously injured or killed in a large city such as Vancouver due to using an electronic device each year is almost non-existent.”
The firm also adds that, there’s a clear difference between “distracted driving” and “using an electronic device” while driving. The government, police and ICBC like to lump them into one to support their narrative of just how dangerous using cellphones are behind the wheel.”
Indeed, a number of things can distract a person from driving. For example, a pet on a person’s lap could theoretically distract a driver much more than a phone; an animal could become startled or bark suddenly while its owner is driving. As a matter of fact, there are countless ways a person can be distracted while driving. Anything from eating while driving to putting on eyeliner can be distracting.