BC Dramatically Increases Penalties for Texting While Driving

Drivers using cellphones will soon face much higher fines in BC.

The provincial government is increasing the first-offence penalty from $167 to $543, effective June 1.

Demerit points will increase from three to four.

Furthermore, the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles will be able to impose driving prohibitions of up to a year with as few as two tickets issued.

Every year in BC, more than 60 drivers are killed by distracted drivers.

Police in BC issued over 42,000 tickets to distracted drivers between 2010 and 2014.