Driver Distractions
Driver Distraction and Cell Phone Use
B.C.'s new law (Jan 1/10) makes it illegal for drivers to use hand-held cell phones and other portable electronic devices. Among the prohibitions:
- No operating viewing or holding hand-held cellphones or other electronic devices
- No sending or reading emails and/or texting (e.g. BlackBerry, PDA, cell phone)
- No operating or holding hand-held music or portable gaming devices (e.g. MP3 players, iPods)
- No manual programming or adjusting GPS systems, whether built into the vehicle or not, while driving. Setting must be programmed before driving
- No viewing of a television screen
Any of the above devices can be used if the vehicle is legally parked and not impeding traffic, and to call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.
In addition to the above restrictions, new drivers enrolled in the Graduated Licensing Program are prohibited from using hands-free communications devices while driving, including cell phones.
To view AT&T's "Don't Text While Driving" documentary please click here
To obtain more information or driver distraction tips click here