If B.C. distracted drivers didn’t get the message the first time, there’s a chance they could get it now.
Currently, two distracted driving tickets in one year cost approximately $1,256, but the provincial government is making a move to add $740 to the existing penalty.
This means any driver with two distracted driving tickers over a three-year period will see the total penalty go up to as much as $2,000.
That would be in addition to a drivers’ regular insurance premium.
“Distracted driving continues to put people in danger and significant pressure on insurance rates for all drivers,” said Attorney General David Eby in a release. “Today, we are taking action to curb the behaviour and improve safety for all B.C. road users.”
WATCH: Shocking stories of distracted driving
![Click to play video: 'Shocking stories of distracted driving'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/444/347/GBCNH171003Ebeja_tnb_4.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
He said treating distracted driving on par to impaired driving and excessive speeding will help improve safety.
The government says once implemented, the changes will add about $3 to $5-million in additional premiums each year.
Currently, about 12,000 drivers in B.C. have multiple distracted driving offences racked up in a three-year time frame.
Distracted driving is a factor in more than 25 per cent of all car crash fatalities in the province and kills about 78 people each year.
WATCH: Vancouver police slap two distracted driving tickets to one driver within minutes
![Click to play video: 'Vancouver police slap two distracted driving tickets to one driver in a matter of minutes'](https://i0.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/43/579/1800_DISTRACTED_DRIVING_VAF0CJ0N_Mezz_848x480_1052311619815.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
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