Don’t be a distracted driver
April 09, 2013
Photo credit: Michael Babcock on Flickr
The BC Trucking Safety Council reminds us to pay attention on the roads. It’s a simple message indeed – but many people still aren’t taking note.
A recent blog post, Distracted Driving a Concern, points out that distracted driving is the third leading cause of fatal road crashes in BC.
“Don’t be afraid to pull over on side of the road to deal with distractions like answering a phone call or looking at a map,” it says.”It’s important for BC residents and trucking companies to take steps against distracted driving and keep safe.”
Starting in February, the RCMP has been “targeting drivers who operate vehicles while using a handheld device,” according to this press release.
Police in BC have issued 105,972 violation tickets for use of handheld electronic devices since this practice was banned by law in January 2010. The fine is $167.
But fear of the fine is not enough to stop everyone. Anyone who travels around Vancouver has undoubtedly seen people texting away at the wheel. I even saw someone texting as they drove through a crosswalk recently – narrowly missing a mom pushing a baby stroller across the street.
“Twenty-five per cent of all vehicle crashes that occur annually in B.C. can be attributed to distracted driving,” reads WorkSafeBC’s Distracted Driving page on the Road Safety portal. “Occupational motor vehicle incidents are the number one cause of traumatic worker deaths in British Columbia; on average, 30 workers are killed each year.”
Numbers like this show we have much work ahead, despite the hard work of safety advocates. Please remember that driving requires all your attention – and make sure your friends, family, and coworkers take heed as well.
Tell me your tips to prevent distracted driving
April 19, 2012
Photo credit: OregonDOT on Flickr
“Whoa! Look at that driver! He’s talking into an iPhone – right in front of his face!” yelled my passenger recently as we passed through the intersection of Main and Terminal in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Was the driver talking to Siri?
It’s likely that most of us see examples of this bad behaviour all too often, despite BC’s ban on hand-held devices and the $167 fine levied for infractions – not to mention the risk of death or injury to oneself or (even worse) an innocent person in the vicinity.
In BC, vehicle crashes are the number one cause of traumatic work-related deaths, according to WorkSafeBC statistics. On average, approximately 30 workers in BC are killed each year while driving, and distracted driving, such as cell phone use, is a key factor in these crashes.
The DriveCellSafe.com website says 25 per cent of vehicle crashes each year can be attributed to drivers being distracted – and most of the distraction is caused by hand-held devices.
What can be so important that they are willing to risk such serious consequences? Is it just another instance of “it won’t happen to me”? Regardless of the reasons, I feel very angry to see it – and I’ve heard a lot of people who feel the same way.
If you’ve got any tips for preventing distracted driving, I’d like to hear about them in the Comments section. Tell me where you are from and what traffic is like in your region. Also, what kinds of “distracted driver” campaigns are in your jurisdiction? Check out this video (it’s not shockvertising) from Preventable.ca.
More information on driving safely at work can be found at the Road Safety at Work website
Rick Mercer driver distraction rant
September 30, 2010
“Who’s responsible for safety when workers get behind the wheel at work?”
You’ll find answers to this question in “Driver’s Seat,” a story in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of WorkSafe Magazine by Helena Bryan. And just ask Rick Mercer.
Problems with shockvertising campaigns
August 19, 2010
I had some responses to my last post on shockvertising. I agree with Liv that I’d rather see a more positive approach – maybe a dad with his kids, saying “keep him safe” and not an example of “what terrible thing will happen to this family man.”
This ad from Ontario shows how severe workplace injuries can be (link to more below)
Cathrin commented on the post, saying she doesn’t think the ads will motivate people to change.
“I think people do get desensitized to anything if they are motivated to want to do something like read their friend’s latest text,” Cathrin wrote in her comment. “They can think: ‘Oh, those poor girls in the video, but that won’t happen to me because I’ll be careful and just take a quick peek!’”
Maybe the viewers see people texting and driving and think “I’ll just text and drive more carefully.” Read more
Does “shockvertising” change behaviour?
August 10, 2010
Click this image to view PSA - Texting While Driving on YouTube. Warning: very graphic content
Don’t watch this video unless you can handle some “shockvertising.”
It’s been nearly a year since this public service announcement was funded by the Gwent Police Department in the UK. Its blood, screaming, crying, and severe injuries are very disturbing.
This “Don’t text and drive” message went viral on the Internet in August 2009 when it was released. It’s a classic example of “shockvertising.” Read more
