Police are taking to the roads and a distracted driving simulator to hammer home to drivers how dangerous it can be when you take your eyes or mind off the road.
Distracted driving is the third leading cause of fatal car crashes in B.C. — behind speed and impaired driving — and this month police and ICBC are cracking down to prevent more deaths.
A recent survey showed B.C. drivers consider texting while driving to be as dangerous as drinking and driving but 40 per cent of people admit to using their handheld phones while driving.
The driving simulator shows the impacts of distracted driving, says Vancouver Police Inspector Les Yeo. “It tells you that if your eyes are off the road and on your lap, you might as well drive with your eyes closed.”
The aim of the month-long campaign by Vancouver police is to change driver attitudes and behaviours and create a culture where people encourage one another to avoid distractions behind the wheel. Police are also keen on reminding people it’s still illegal to use your phone while at a stop light — something they often see drivers do.
“You have every right if you see someone on the phone to honk at them and tell them to get off,” says Insp. Yeo.
On average 91 people are killed each year in the province because of distracted driving.
~ with files from Grace Ke
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