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BC cracks down on distracted driving

Car accidents are the number 1 cause of work-related deaths in BC.

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In BC, crashes are the number 1 cause of work-related deaths, according to WorkSafeBC statistics. On average, approximately 30 workers in BC are killed each year while driving, and distracted driving, such as cell phone use, is a key factor in these crashes.

“As government, we have established aggressive legislation and police have done a good job of enforcement but really this is about your friends, family and colleagues, so set an example,” said Shirley Bond, minister of public safety and solicitor general. “We know these deaths and injuries are preventable. Let voicemail do its job or pull over. Safe driving requires your full attention.”

A recent Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of ICBC revealed only 9% of drivers think that commercial drivers are better than the general public at following BC’s new restrictions on the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving.

Brokers can provide their clients with additional information available to download on 
WorkSafeBC.com, including a sample safe driving policy, tip sheets for employers, supervisors and workers, as well as a new video to help drive home the message even further.

“We need to shift our attitudes toward distracted driving – we can all do our part to help create a culture where friends, families and colleagues don’t expect you to answer the phone while driving,” said Fiona Temple, director of road safety, ICBC.