Central Saanich Police Services is kicking off its Spring campaign to combat distracted driving, a leading cause of traffic incidents and fatalities.

“We all play a part in making our roads safe — when you're behind the wheel, focus on the road,” said Chief of Police, Ian Lawson. “If everyone in B.C. avoided distractions while driving, around 78 lives could be saved every year. We can make our roads safer together.”

Distracted and inattentive driving is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal car crashes in B.C. On average, distraction is a factor in 5,788 police-reported injuries and 78 deaths each year.  Distracted driving is a contributing factor in 38% of all police-reported crashes in B.C. *

Tips to avoid distracted driving:

• Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind. Put it in the closed glove box or centre console before you start driving.
• Turn off your phone or notifications.  Consider turning on “silent mode” or “do not disturb” when you first get into the car.
• Know where to go before you drive. Program your GPS before you start driving and pull over if you need to update directions.
• Driving will always require your full attention. Set yourself up for zero distractions before you start driving.
• Travel safe by planning ahead. Set realistic travel time and be mindful of rush hours and delays.

For more information on distracted driving, please visit Distracted driving (icbc.com).

Know the law on how to use electronic devices while driving.