ICBC launches month-long distracted driving campaign

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, along with the provincial government and police, launched a month-long distracted driving campaign on Thursday, a behaviour it says causes nearly 100 deaths per year.

Distracted driving is the third leading cause of fatal car crashes in B.C., behind speed and impaired driving, according to ICBC.

On average, 91 people are killed each year in the province because of distracted driving, such as cell phone use, according to ICBC.

“You’re four times more likely to crash when talking on a handheld phone behind the wheel, and 23 times more likely to get in a crash if you text while driving,” noted Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Police will be stepping up their enforcement across the province this month.

A 2012 Ipsos Reid survey, conducted on behalf of ICBC, suggested that B.C. drivers consider texting while driving to be just as risky as drinking and driving. Still, 40% of those who own cell phones admit they’ve used their hand-held phone while driving.

“Driving is a complex task that requires your full attention,” said Mark Blucher, ICBC’s interim president and CEO. “When you’re distracted behind the wheel your reaction time is significantly reduced. Distracted driving is a common cause of rear-end crashes and injuries – there is no safe following distance when your mind is not on the road.”