British Columbia’s texting while driving ban took effect on January 1, 2010.  And so far, law enforcement officers seem to think that the texting ban is tough to enforce.

The Comox Valley RCMP has issued about 20 tickets and much more warnings for talking or texting on a cell phone while driving, but as pointed out by Const. Kevin Kimler, those drivers are not easy to catch in the act.

“You won’t see it,” said Kimler, “It’s more challenging than a speeding ticket because you have to catch people in the act. Sometimes you think it’s a cell phone and it turns up to be just their hand up by their head.”

Still, Kimler has noted that people’s driving behaviors are changing.  He sees more drivers pull over to talk on their cell phone.  The numerous warnings issued must have helped also.  The next step will be to educate young drivers on the dangers of texting while driving. They are more inclined to text and drive, and so far they haven’t been issued that many tickets.

“I haven’t seen it. Kids are smart, they tend to hide to hide it,” said Kimler.

In 2010, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island were the latest provinces to ban texting while driving. 

Source: Comox  Valley Echo, May 21, 2010

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