Distracted driving, seatbelt violations spike in Okanagan, North: RCMP
Published 5:15 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Too many British Columbians are choosing to ignore their seatbelts or use their cell phones while driving, says BC Highway Patrol.
In September alone, 1,190 tickets were handed out by officers across the province for distracted driving and people not wearing their seatbelts. Nearly half of those tickets came in the province's central and north regions.
In Central B.C., which includes Kelowna, Kamloops, Merritt, and Clearwater, 268 people were handed $368 distracted driving infractions in September. Up north, which is all communities from 100 Mile House and up, 45 people were handed tickets.
As for those not wearing seatbelts, 162 people were found in Central B.C., compared to 71 people in the north. The ticket is $167.
“It’s simple. If we can get less people to drive while distracted, and more people to wear their seatbelts, then we will save more lives,” said BC Highway Patrol's Supt. Mike Coyle. “We will keep writing tickets for people who don’t obey the law, but the real goal is public safety.”
BC Highway Patrol reminds motorists to be more careful while driving as the days get shorter and with Halloween around the corner.
“As we move into the Halloween season, and the days get shorter, it’s even more important that you eliminate distractions behind the wheel,” added Supt. Coyle. “Pedestrians are hard to see in the darkness and rain of fall. You need all of your attention to keep yourself, your loved ones, and the people in your neighbourhood safe on the roads.”
