B.C. increases distracted driving penalties, considers higher fines

VICTORIA – Justice Minister Suzanne Anton is getting tough with distracted drivers in British Columbia.

Anton says that effective Oct. 20, new laws will ensure motorists get three penalty points if they're caught talking on a mobile device while driving.

She says the points are in addition to the current $167 fine for drivers caught talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Drivers ticketed for texting while driving already get three penalty points, along with a fine of $167.

Anton says the government will examine increasing the fines for distracted driver offences, but that Ontario's fines of $1,000 seem too high.

Anton says distracted driving is the second-leading cause of driver deaths in B.C. while speeding is the top reason for such deaths, with an average of 105 fatalities every year.