VicPD and ICBC Team Up to Tackle Distracted Driving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 2, 2026 

Victoria, B.C. – This March, as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) are partnering to raise awareness about the serious dangers of distracted driving and encourage safer roads throughout Greater Victoria.  

ICBC will conduct one-day campaign blitzes in different Vancouver Island communities from March 2nd to 6th. The campaign starts on Monday, March 2nd, in Victoria and Esquimalt, with VicPD officers, Reserve Constables, and VicPD Crime Watch volunteers stationed in key locations. 

Volunteers will take part in Cell Watch and Messages in Motion initiatives, directly engaging with drivers and pedestrians to highlight the risks of distraction. Simultaneously, VicPD traffic officers will focus on targeted education and enforcement. 

Distracted driving is a major issue in B.C. and is still one of the leading contributing factors to fatal crashes. Even a moment of inattention can significantly slow your reaction time and cause you to miss critical road information – like a changing traffic light or a pedestrian or cyclist. This puts everyone on our roads at risk. 

ICBC and police partner on province-wide distracted driving campaigns every March and September, using advertising and community outreach, including educational presentations and roadside initiatives, to remind drivers to leave their phones alone and prioritize safer driving behaviours. 

Drivers can set themselves up for zero distractions by putting their phone away and setting up their GPS or music before starting their journey.  

By working together, we can reduce preventable injuries and keep our roads safer for everyone.