NEWS 3
friday, May 13, 2016 • pentictonwesternnews.com
Distracted driving fines, points increased Dale Boyd Western News
A first offence for checking your phone while driving will cost B.C. drivers $543 when new penalties take effect June 1. The fine for distracted driving goes up from $167 to $368, and drivers will also be assessed four penalty points, triggering another $175 charge. The combination results in a total penalty of $888 for a second offence within a year of the first. Cpl. Ted Manchulenko with the Penticton RCMP said the stats show people are not getting the message that distracted driving is a serious offence. “If you go back in time I think it’s similar to seatbelts were at one point,” Manchulenko said. “You can see it everywhere it’s not hard to pick out.” More attention has been paid to the issue by both media and governments in an effort to curb instances of distracted driving, Manchulenko said. “There’s going to be extra enforcement and extra penalties so
PuBLiC SafetY minister mike morris uses a driving simulator to show the effect of texting and driving.
Photo courtesy of the B.C. government
hopefully people will get the hint,” Manchulenko said. Public Safety Minister Mike Morris said the new fines put B.C. near the top of distracted driving fines for Canadian provinces, and two tickets in a year will also trigger an automatic review by the Superin-
tendent of Motor Vehicles that could result in licence suspension. Public consultation over the past year has found support for a tougher approach. “A lot of the input that we had indicated even higher penalties than that,” Morris said.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the public awareness campaigns have not convinced enough people of the dangers of trying to use mobile phones or other devices without hands-free services. “Imagine trying to drive the length of a football field while you’re blindfolded,” Stone said. Central Saanich Police Chief Les Sylven, president of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police, reminded drivers that being at a stop light or stuck in a traffic jam does not mean the distracted
driving penalties don’t apply. NDP public safety critic Mike Farnworth said the government didn’t need to take a year to increase one of the lowest distracted driving penalty systems in the country, and giving the superintendent discretion over multiple repeat offenders doesn’t send a clear enough message. “Frankly, I think that if you get more than three in the course of the year, there should be no ‘may’ about it, you will lose your licence,” Farnworth said.
Revving up for the bathtub race Mark Brett Western News Staff
Jim Cavin of the Summerland Yacht Club tests the waters of Okanagan Lake last year in advance of the Great Ogopogo Bathtub Race.
Western news file photo
Tubbers get ready to rumble. Those wanting to compete in the upcoming, bigger and better second annual Great Ogopogo Bathtub Race hosted by the Summerland Yacht Club Aug. 20 should soon be getting their tubs in gear according to organizer and club member Jim Cavin. In addition to a new location, the event has been moved to Powell Beach on the north shore of Trout Creek, there will be plenty more family activities to make it just as much fun for spectators as it is for the racers, making it a true community event. The sandy beach and deeper water off Powell Beach were key factors in the decision to switch venues from last year’s Peach Orchard Park location for the race in which competitors go head to head on the course to Penticton and back. It is expected there will be at least 20 tubbers competing in the main event which was won in 2015 by Summerland realtor Mike Stohler. Also included this year will be a barbecue, dinner, silent auction and plenty more. As part of its commitment to the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation, proceeds will again go to the foundation’s $20 million campaign to equip the new patient care tower. Last year $18,444 was raised. Back again this year will be the fun circuit race
which organizers have dubbed the Putt-Putt, Paddle or Pull competition, open to anyone with a craft that will float. “Last year we had a number of people wanting to take part, but did not have the material to build something within the rules,” said Cavin. “This year we have come up with a competition everyone can take part in.” No motor? No problem, Cavin added. The fastest entry in the two-mile recreational race may not win. So long as a craft floats and moves somehow, it is in the running. “Canoe, kayak, floatie, home-built barge – whatever. Dress it up, get some pledges and you’re in,” he said. “And don’t forget your water blaster.” Entry deadline is August 12, with a free water blaster to the first 10 entries. The competitive race is more restrictive. A bathtub at least 48 inches long and 12 inches deep — either real or constructed from a mold using fibreglass or some similar material — must be visible above any decking. Motors must be less than 10 horsepower and come equipped with a kill switch safety lanyard. The Yacht Club will also have escort boats on the course. All entry fees, admission fees and silent auction proceeds go to the foundation. Any event sponsorship funds remaining after the event will also be donated. To register or for more information go to ogopogobathtub.com.
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