We can see it all around us: Too many British Columbians are choosing to ignore their seatbelts or use their cell phones while driving.

You can see those problems reflected in ticket numbers from September’s Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month.

“It’s simple. If we can get less people to drive while distracted, and more people to wear their seatbelts, then we will save more lives,” said Superintendent Mike Coyle with BC Highway Patrol (BCHP). “We will keep writing tickets for people who don’t obey the law, but the real goal is public safety.”

Here are the BC Highway Patrol enforcement numbers for the September Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month campaigns:

Use electronic device while driving ($368):

Northern BC (including most communities north of 100 Mile House) – 45 tickets.

Central BC (including Merritt, Kelowna, Kamloops, Clearwater) – 285 tickets.

Kootenay region (including Revelstoke, Nelson, Cranbrook, Golden) – 116 tickets.

Vancouver Island – 76 tickets.

South Coast (including Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky country, the Fraser Valley) – 212

Total number of tickets – 734.

Fail to wear seatbelt, ($167) plus other occupant restraint offences:

Northern BC (including most communities north of 100 Mile House) – 71 tickets.

Central BC (including Merritt, Kelowna, Kamloops, Clearwater) – 162 tickets.

Kootenay region (including Revelstoke, Nelson, Cranbrook, Golden) – 58 tickets.

Vancouver Island – 79 tickets.

South Coast (including Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky country, the Fraser Valley) – 86

Total number of tickets – 456.

“As we move into the Halloween season, and the days get shorter, it’s even more important that you eliminate distractions behind the wheel,” said Superintendent Coyle.

“Pedestrians are hard to see in the darkness and rain of fall. You need all of your attention to keep yourself, your loved ones, and the people in your neighbourhood safe on the roads.”

BC Highway Patrol photo

BC Highway Patrol

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