As lawyers who practice within the motor vehicle accident and personal injury fields we at CFMR frequently come across matters involving people needlessly hurt by distracted driving.

On May 9th, BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced that the financial penalties and other sanctions for distracted driving will be increased, effective June 1, 2016.

With the new penalties in place, distracted drivers will be subject to the following:

• Each offence will include the increased base fine of $368 (up from $167), and four penalty points added to the offending driver’s record;
• First time offenders will face a minimum fine of $543, when combined with ICBC penalty point premiums;
• Repeat offenders who commit a second offence within 12 months will pay $368 plus $520, which will escalate further for subsequent offences.
• Repeat offenders will have their driving record reviewed, which could result in driving prohibitions.  N and L drivers in the graduated licensing program will face intervention after the first offence.

More detailed information can be found in the official news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016PSSG0099-000737

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