The latest story once again makes it very clear that the problem of distracted driving, which was responsible for 88 deaths in B.C. last year, is getting much worse.
The ticketing of repeat offenders is endemic.
Eric Foster is the MLA here in Vernon.
I would like to know exactly how he feels about the current penalties for distracted driving.
Does he feel that the current “slap on the wrist” is a deterrent in any demonstrable way?
If he does not feel that the current penalty is any kind of a deterrent, how does he feel about stiffer fines, demerit points, and progressive action up to and including license suspensions for repeat offenders?
This is not a difficult question, and there is no right or wrong answer, but only a reasonable request that a practice which is identified as killing British Columbians, be dealt with more harshly.
Would our Member of the Legislative Assembly publicly agree?
The issue of whether or not the subject is under judicial review has no relevance to his ability to express his personal opinion on the matter.
He owes that much to people who may conceivably get killed by a distracted driver in the future who is busy text messaging.
When people elect representatives, they expect those representatives to protect them from that kind of thing if it is possible, don’t they?
Dean Roosevelt, Vernon
