BC

ICBC is 'uping' their game by getting into the ringtone business. They are doing their best to 'get with it', to try and save lives. 

The BC Insurance Corporation reports, "The reality is, distracted driving is now the third leading cause of fatal car crashes in BC, which is why this year's campaign is focusing on educating drivers and dispelling some of the common misconceptions."

ICBC has produced six ringtones that people can download for free. They are designed to remind drivers not to pick up their phones when they're behind the wheel.

Will they work? Let us know what you think: letters@castanet.net

Here they are:

A 2012 Ipsos Reid survey, conducted on behalf of ICBC, reveals that 44 per cent of respondents believe that driving is a complex task and yet 40 per cent of those who own cell phones admit they’ve used their hand-held phone while driving.

“The ability to connect with anyone at anytime through our mobile phones has led to a serious problem on our roads,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “Driving is a complex task that requires our full attention. When we’re behind the wheel, we have people’s lives in our hands and we owe it to our friends and families to leave our phones alone and focus on the road.”

Police are stepping up enforcement across the province and will be checking for distracted drivers this weekend and throughout September.

“We see many motorists trying to hide their mobile devices from view by using them from their laps while driving,” said Chief Constable Jamie Graham, Chair of the Traffic Safety Committee of the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP). “We’ll be out there this month and if you’re distracted, you won’t be able to hide it. If you can’t seem to avoid the temptation to answer, turn your phone off or put it in the trunk before you start driving.”

“Far too often emergency room physicians see the results of those injured in a car crash because a driver was distracted while using a cell phone or other electronic device,” said Dr Lloyd Oppel, an emergency physician and Chair of the B.C. Medical Association’s Council on Health Promotion. “And the key thing is that these tragedies are completely preventable. Placing lives at risk so that we can enjoy a convenience is simply not worth it.”

“We want everyone to keep their attention on the road so they get to where they’re going safely,” said Donnie Wing, ICBC’s senior VP of corporate affairs. “We’re encouraging drivers to plan ahead to avoid distraction. ICBC is offering free downloadable ringtones that remind drivers not to respond to calls or texts while driving. If you need to use a mobile device behind the wheel, find out what the most common misconceptions are and talk to your family and friends about them.”
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