By Blair Qualey
Halloween is this Friday, which means trick-or-treaters will be out in abundance across B.C. — darting between houses, crossing streets in the dark, and often hard to see in the excitement of the night. For drivers, it’s a timely reminder to slow down, stay alert, and keep distractions out of the driver’s seat.
Every fall brings tougher driving conditions – shorter days, darker commutes, and rainy weather that makes roads slick and visibility poor. In the Interior and northern regions, the season also brings the first snowfalls, adding icy stretches and unpredictable conditions to the mix. Staying focused behind the wheel isn’t just smart – it’s lifesaving.
That’s the message behind this year’s ICBC Fall Distracted Driving Campaign, which highlights the growing toll of inattention on B.C. roads. Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the province, contributing to nearly 40% of police-reported car crash injuries each year. That adds up to more than 6,500 injuries and 77 deaths annually – all preventable.
Research shows that drivers are 3.6 times more likely to crash if they’re using a hand-held device. Despite that, many still check their phones or glance at screens while driving. The campaign’s message is clear: focus on the road, not your phone.
Throughout September, B.C. Highway Patrol and RCMP detachments across the province stepped up enforcement during Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint Month. Community policing volunteers joined in through “Cell Watch” deployments, reminding drivers to put their phones away and keep their attention where it belongs.
The results were eye-opening. Officers issued 1,190 tickets province-wide — 734 for using an electronic device while driving and 456 for failing to wear a seatbelt or other occupant-restraint offences. Each ticket represents a preventable risk, and a reminder that the smallest decisions behind the wheel can have life-changing consequences.
According to B.C. Highway Patrol, these campaigns are as much about education as enforcement — encouraging safer habits before tragedy strikes. Fewer distractions and more seatbelt use mean fewer injuries and fewer grieving families.
As fall gives way to winter, conditions will continue to shift quickly. Rain, fog, and darkness make visibility a challenge across the south coast, while snow and ice are already a reality in parts of the Interior and North. Drivers are reminded to slow down, increase following distance, and prepare vehicles for winter driving.
With trick-or-treaters filling neighbourhood streets this Friday, it’s the perfect time to refocus on the basics: stay alert, slow down, and keep your eyes on the road.
Because when it comes to safety, the best protection is simple — hands on the wheel, eyes forward, and full attention on getting everyone home safely.
Blair Qualey is President & CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. He can be reached at [email protected].
