When I was in training to become a constable I was told that traffic tickets were issued to change driving behaviour. The inference was that those changes would be for the better. Why is it then that if I watch what is happening around me on the roads bad driving behaviour is commonplace?
I’m not talking about the errors that people make as genuine mistakes but about wilful disobedience.
In 2024 500,719 traffic tickets were issued by the police and our intersection safety camera system. 38% of those tickets were issued for speeding (190,197) and 17% for running red lights (83,405). Intersection safety cameras were responsible for 46,570 and 80,430 respectively.
Third place is held by using an electronic device while driving tickets at 6% or 30,926. Everything else is lower still and that everything else covers a lot of unsafe driving behaviour.
Most traffic tickets, not including intersection safety camera offences, carry penalty points if the driver is convicted. Two and three point tickets are the rule but the use of electronic devices while driving is 4 and careless driving is 6.
The Driver Improvement Program guides RoadSafetyBC in prohibiting drivers who accumulate too many penalty points. Unless you drive at excessive speed or receive some 4 and 6 point tickets, you can collect up to 14 points in a two year period and only expect to receive a warning letter.
I was unable to find data concerning driving prohibitions for too many penalty points on the B.C. Government website.
A majority of British Columbians responded to a 2023 poll by saying that driving behaviour had gotten worse over the past five years. Who is to blame for this? Why, everyone else of course!
Are traffic tickets doing what we hope they will to change driving behaviour for the better? Is there a better way? Please share your thoughts.
Story URL: https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/behaviour/changing-driving-behaviour
-- Tim Schewe Road Safety Advocate DriveSmartBC.ca Any advice contained in this message is given in good faith to the best of my ability. I am not a lawyer and if you require legal advice which you intend to rely on it would be wise to consult one.
