Delta police issued 80 tickets in two days during distracted driving campaign
Delta police issued 80 violation tickets and warnings during the Thanksgiving weekend as part of a province-wide distracted driving campaign. The fine for phone use while driving is $368.
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Delta police issued 80 violation tickets and warnings to drivers over two days during the Thanksgiving weekend, as part of a province-wide distracted driving campaign, the Delta Optimist reported October 30.
Acting Deputy Chief Jody Waldron gave the numbers to the Delta Police Board at its October 21 meeting, as part of an operational update. She said the volume of tickets shows that too many drivers are still using their phones.
Waldron told the board that distracted driving enforcement is not lessening, and that 80 tickets in two days shows people are still using their phones while driving, according to the Optimist.
The fines
In British Columbia, the fine for using a hand-held electronic device while driving is $368, and a conviction adds points and insurance premiums from ICBC. Other forms of distracted driving, covered under the offence of driving without due care and attention, carry fines from $196 to $368.
According to ICBC figures reported by the Optimist, distracted driving contributes to an average of 79 deaths and more than 5,000 injuries each year in BC. Drivers using a hand-held phone are 3.6 times more likely to crash, and distracted driving is a factor in 37 percent of all police-reported injury crashes.
Province-wide trend
The BC Highway Patrol's September 2026 distracted driving campaign recorded 1,587 charges, compared with 734 during the same campaign in September 2025. Superintendent Lori Orstad said in an RCMP news release quoted by the Optimist: "The numbers are way too high. We should be making better decisions behind the wheel."
Delta police say they plan to continue education and enforcement campaigns on distracted driving. Drivers in Delta can avoid a $368 fine by setting up their phone before starting to drive, switching to hands-free, or putting it out of reach. Delta police note that distracted driving is not only about phones: any task that takes a driver's attention off the road is covered.
Questions this story answers
How many tickets did Delta police issue during the Thanksgiving distracted driving campaign?
Delta police issued 80 violation tickets and warnings to drivers over a two-day period during the Thanksgiving weekend, as part of Operation Impact, a province-wide distracted driving campaign. Acting Deputy Chief Jody Waldron reported this at the Delta Police Board's October 21 meeting, according to the Delta Optimist.
What is the fine for using a phone while driving in BC?
In British Columbia, the fine for using an electronic device while driving is $368, and a conviction also adds points and insurance premiums from ICBC, according to figures reported by the Delta Optimist. Other distracted driving offences, such as driving without due care and attention, carry fines from $196 to $368.
Is distracted driving getting worse in Delta and BC?
Delta police say it is not getting better. Acting Deputy Chief Waldron said at the October 21 Police Board meeting that the number of tickets over two days shows people are still using their phones. Province-wide, the BC Highway Patrol recorded 1,587 distracted driving charges in September 2026, compared with 734 in September 2025, according to the Delta Optimist.
What are the safety risks of distracted driving?
According to ICBC figures reported by the Delta Optimist, distracted driving contributes to an average of 79 deaths and more than 5,000 injuries each year in BC. Drivers using a hand-held phone are 3.6 times more likely to crash, and distracted driving is a factor in 37 percent of all police-reported injury crashes.
What is Operation Impact?
Operation Impact is an annual province-wide public awareness and enforcement campaign focused on distracted driving. Delta police participate by running increased patrols and issuing tickets and warnings to drivers who are using phones or are otherwise distracted at the wheel. The Thanksgiving weekend campaign was one of the most recent rounds of enforcement.
What counts as distracted driving under BC law?
BC's distracted driving rules cover more than phones. Delta police say that distracted driving includes any task performed in a way that takes a driver's attention off the road. The 'Use an Electronic Device While Driving' rule covers hand-held phones and similar devices. Driving without due care and attention is a separate offence that covers other distractions.
What can Delta drivers do to avoid a fine?
Delta drivers can avoid distracted driving fines by setting up their phone before starting to drive, switching it to silent or a mount for hands-free use, and pulling off the road to a safe, legal spot if they need to check a message. Delta police say they plan to continue education and enforcement campaigns on distracted driving.
Where can Delta residents follow Delta Police Department news?
Delta residents can follow Delta Police Department news releases and updates through the Delta Police Department website and through the Delta Optimist, which reports on Delta Police Board meetings. The board meets regularly and receives operational updates from department leadership.
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