Drivers across BC are being reminded to buckle up and put the phone away as March marks both Distracted Driving and Occupant Restraint campaigns.

BC Highway Patrol are urging drivers to keep electronic devices out of reach, wear seatbelts, and ensure children are secured in the appropriate car seat.

According to RoadSafetyBC, distracted driving remains one of the top three causes of crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities in the province, alongside impaired driving and speeding.

Unrestrained occupants are also among the leading causes of injury and death in collisions.

Police say seatbelt use continues to be a concern in rural areas, while some drivers in urban centres struggle with the more complex child car seat requirements.

Local RCMP detachments can provide information about current laws.

Drivers caught using an electronic device while driving face a $368 fine under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Failing to wear a seatbelt carries a $167 fine, as does operating a vehicle with an inoperative seatbelt. A driver with a child who is unrestrained or improperly restrained can be fined $109.

To learn more, visit B.C. RCMP.