Texting While Driving in Kelowna - Epidemic

[Treblehook]

The number of people who are texting while driving in Kelowna is at unbelievable levels. Yesterday afternoon, while driving north on Harvey Avenue between Ellis and Dilworth, we spotted four different drivers in the lane beside us who were texting while driving. They are so easy to spot as the are slow to recognize light changes and actually weaving in their lane of travel. All four of these offenders were women who were alone in their vehicles and who appeared to be in their late 30's to late 40's. You would think that this group would be more responsible! The penalties for offenders are obviously not severe enough to curb this activity. Also, the enforcement lvel needs to be increased significantly. This dangerous behavior has to be changed. Maybe $500.00 fine for first offence; $1000.00 for subsequent and driver's licence suspensions would do the trick.

[John500]

Yes its rampant and not much is done about it. Fines should be increased like in Japan. Caught? Loss of drivers licence forever. But that will never happen here. Last week a motorcyclist got killed because of the jeep driver behind him was on his cell. Poor family of the motoe cyclist. Hope the Jeep driver gets the book thrown at him as to me its pure murder!

[E3V]

yes i agree. at least pull over into a parking spot if you must text

[kelofornia]

It should a moving violation and points applied to the driver's license. Perhaps "driving without due care and attention", because that is exactly what it is.

[10Sne1]

yes i agree. at least pull over into a parking spot if you must text

Just make sure it's NOT a handicapped spot.

[Treblehook]

Yes, the fatal involving the MC may well turn out to have cell use as a contributing factor. I thought of that as we watched one lady drive right past the place where that fatal occurred only days ago. I really don't know what is going through these people's heads. Do they think that it is only unsafe for others to do this, but quite safe for them? Are they so self centered and inconsiderate that they willingly put others at risk so they can participate in relatively unimportant social communication? I really don't get it!! Maybe everyone who spots someone texting while driving ought to be taking down licence numbers and calling the police to report the incident. I know it wouldn't result in the police chasing the incident and laying charges in every instance, but it would sure as hell make them aware of the amount of texting and driving that is occurring out there and that most of us are fed up with observing it.

[Treblehook]

Maybe the media... like Castanet or some such, should spend a day a week with a cameraman in a car, photographing drivers that are obviously texting and posting the images online. It is not difficult in most situations to actually see the offender with the cellphone in their hands while they drive along.

[rutland1]

Now thats a good idea.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[LordEd]

It should a moving violation and points applied to the driver's license. Perhaps "driving without due care and attention", because that is exactly what it is.

Emailing/texting while driving is worth 3 points.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/ti ... swithfines

214.2 (1) - Using electronic device while driving $167 + 0 points
214.2 (2) - Emailing or texting while driving $167 + 3 points

[Treblehook]

Obviously the penalties are either not severe enough or driver perception is the risk of getting caught is low. Both need to be changed ASAP.

[zzontar]

You know what's funny is seeing someone talking on their phone when they drive right past a cop who doesn't notice because he's typing something in on his computer screen... the irony is rich.

[Treblehook]

You know what's funny is seeing someone talking on their phone when they drive right past a cop who doesn't notice because he's typing something in on his computer screen... the irony is rich.

What is your point... isn't it a fact that the police were exempted when the provision was written and passed into law by the legislature? There obviously was a reason for that. Surely pointing out police use of their computer was not an attempt to minimize the ignorance of drivers who insist on putting others at risk through their texting and cell use???????????

[kelofornia]

[quote="LordEdEmailing/texting while driving is worth 3 points.

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/ti ... swithfines

214.2 (1) - Using electronic device while driving $167 + 0 points
214.2 (2) - Emailing or texting while driving $167 + 3 points[/quote]


Why nothing for the use of an electronic device while driving?
C'mon ICBC there's a cash grab for you, take it and make it more difficult and costly for offenders to license.

[zzontar]

What is your point... isn't it a fact that the police were exempted when the provision was written and passed into law by the legislature? There obviously was a reason for that. Surely pointing out police use of their computer was not an attempt to minimize the ignorance of drivers who insist on putting others at risk through their texting and cell use???????????

I have no problem with police talking on a two-way radio or a cellphone while driving, and the technology is here to have voice commands for computers, which is what they should have in their cars. At least they can keep their eyes on the road for all of the above. Passing a legislation that allows anyone to drive without watching the road just doesn't seem like a good idea to me, I'm just crazy that way.

[Takin it easy !]

Been saying it for a couple of years now on this forum these nuts are addicted to either yapping or texting while driving "love the phone".
First offense $ 1000.00 fine and the police confiscate the phone second time around $2000.00 fine loss of phone and lose drivers license for a year and [mandatory addiction counseling] accidents causing injury or death whole new level Still loving the phone ?