A new law in the new year will ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones, texting and emailing, or using portable electronic devices such as iPods and MP3 players.
"With the recent proliferation of electronic devices in society right now, people are taking it upon themselves to interact with these devices while they're driving, and as a result their attention goes off the roadway," Solicitor General Kash Heed said in a phone interview. "[This legislation] will help us deal with the prolific problem that we have with distracted drivers that has led to 117 fatalities here in British Columbia and over 1,400 people seriously injured because of that."
The new changes to the Motor Vehicle Act, which have passed three readings this week and are waiting only for royal assent, will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Under these changes, only hands-free cell phones and devices that require one touch to activate will be permitted. Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) will face a total ban of the devices - including the hands-free option - as part of their prohibited activity.
A fine of $167 will be levied as of Feb. 1, 2010 and drivers caught texting or emailing will additionally be given three penalty points. Drivers in the GLP will receive both the fine and the three penalty points for any violation of the legislation.
This legislation comes out of an extensive provincial consultation on distracted driving, in which 3,777 British Columbians submitted comments.
"The majority [of respondents] wanted government to take action with respect to restricting hand-held devices," Heed said.
Asked if the hands-free option is a concession to opponents of the legislation, he said: "We wanted to have a piece of legislation that had balance to it. But let me be clear here: if it's not working and we still have people who are distracted when they're driving with the restrictions that we do have in place, then we will start to explore other restrictions to ensure that we deliver what British Columbia wants."
