A number of British Columbia drivers aren’t getting the message when it comes to distracted driving.

Just yesterday, a Vancouver driver was given two tickets in a six minute span for using an electronic device while driving.

ICBC’s road safety program Manager Mark Milner says it is a very expensive problem to have.

“If you get two tickets in a year now, it’s going to cost you roughly $2,400 between the fines and the points,” he said. “You’re probably also going to be looking at a driving suspension.”

Milner adds that since 2010 when the law took effect, 230,000 people have been given distracted driving tickets, including over 60 people will 11 or more tickets.

“That includes 39,000 who received two tickets, 15,000 who received three to five tickets and more that 1,300 who received six or more tickets,” Milner noted. “And even more than 60 who received 11 or more tickets.”

With the exception of calling 911, Milner noted there is a complete ban on all device use for drivers with Learners and Novice licences, including hands free and other permitted devices.

“Put your phone some place that you’re not going to be tempted to look at it or to use it,” he added. “Make sure that you’re not trying to stream Spotify through your speakers with it.”

“If you’ve got a full licence, then you can stream Spotify, you can stream Google Maps through your speakers. Try to make sure that you’re just listening and not watching the map.”

He did say that even drivers with a full licence aren’t allowed hold a device in their hands when they are behind the wheel.

Milner adds that even a two-second glance away from the road can increase the likelihood of a collision.

 

Two distracted driving tickets issued yesterday within six minutes by two different officers to the same driver, in the same car, for using their cell phone. Make road safety a priority. #LeaveYourPhoneAlone #DontDriveDistracted! #VPD #KnowYourPartBC @icbc pic.twitter.com/zbqUhoT4C8

— VPD Traffic Unit (@VPDTrafficUnit) March 19, 2019