Distracted driving charges soar, related deaths plummet

We've all done it, well according to the RCMP anyway. Distracted driving has become a major problem with all of the handheld gadgets that we use for modern conveniences but the interpretation has also expanded to focus on other attention grabbers while driving too. The RCMP in British Columbia says they are on a mission to curb them all and are willing to ramp up ticketing for four years since the law was enforced in February, 2010.

The RCMP in B.C. was quick to point out that they have increased the amount of tickets issued to 4,449 over 2,300 in 2010. Their efforts are working according to the stats that list 47 distracted driving deaths in 2010 is down to only 27 in 2011. The ticket carries a fine in B.C. of $165 and 3 demerit points, $155 with no points in Ontario but varies from province-to-province. It is important to note that using a hands-free device, dash-mounted GPS or even an MP3 player connected to your stereo is not illegal in Ontario according to the Ministry of Transportation.

The police don't just consider texting or holding your phone to your ear a distraction but also holding devices using speaker phone and other bad habits like: eating, drinking, reading and putting on make-up. We're sure that Canadians will forgo many of the aforementioned distractions but if you mess with their Timmies coffee on the morning commute, they may incite a riot and set government buildings ablaze.

Hit the jump to see the latest on how police nationwide will continue the blitz to bring the problem under control.