The Province is taking a first step in what will be a two-part approach to protect British Columbians from distracted drivers on roads and highways.

First, effective Oct. 20, 2014, amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) regulations will increase the driver penalty points from zero to three for drivers who are caught talking on a handheld device while driving. This new penalty, which also covers infractions like watching a DVD, programming a phone’s GPS, and operating hand-held audio players, is being combined with the $167 fine already in place and is now consistent with the three points and $167 fine currently given to drivers for texting.

Penalty points remain on a person’s driving record for five years and can result in further penalties, including prohibitions from driving. Specifically, any driver with more than three points has to pay a penalty premium on their insurance, starting at $175, and escalating if they receive more penalty points. The penalty for anyone who receives more than one distracted driving ticket in a year is at least $634 – the equivalent of two fines and a $300 penalty premium for six points. As points accrue, the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles may also identify a driver as high risk and monitor or prohibit them under the Driver Improvement Program (DIP).