The changes to B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act will take effect on January 1 and police will have the authority to issue $167 tickets for talking-and-driving beginning on February 1.
Solicitor General Kash Heed says that the provincial government will evaluate the new law after it takes effect and consider further restrictions if there is still a significant problem with distracted driving. Such restrictions could include an outright ban on all phone use while driving, even with a hands-free device.
Of course, the government's effort to eliminate distracted driving is misguided and destined to fail. Tuning a radio or talking to a passenger is every bit as distracting as talking on a phone. Perhaps when passengers and radios are also banned, B.C.'s political establishment will finally be happy.
