The B.C. government is considering imposing stricter penalties on distracted drivers as collisions across the province continue to occur.Report says one in four deaths on B.C. roads involve distracted driving.
B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says the province is keeping a close eye on Ontario, where new penalties have been introduced to reduce collisions, including a $50,000 fine and up to two years jail time aimed at distracted drivers who kill.
Current penalties in B.C. include a $368 traffic violation ticket that also carries four penalty points for each offence. Repeat offenders can also be slapped with 90-day prohibitions.
Criminal defence lawyer Paul Doroshenko says having more officers on the ground to actively seek out distracted drivers and enforce penalties would prove more effective.
He added,”The governments are great at passing the laws, but not great at giving the police the money they need to enforce the laws.”
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