The BC Highway Patrol says too many British Columbians are choosing to ignore their seatbelts or are using their cellphones while driving. Those problems are reflected in ticket numbers from September’s Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month.

“It’s simple. If we can get less people to drive while distracted, and more people to wear their seatbelts, then we will save more lives,” says Superintendent Mike Coyle with BC Highway Patrol. “We will keep writing tickets for people who don’t obey the law, but the real goal is public safety.”

BC Highway Patrol enforcement numbers for the September Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month campaigns:

Regional tickets, use electronic device while driving ($368):

Vancouver Island: 76

Northern BC (including most communities north of

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