Drivers in the Kootenay region showed a mixed performance during March’s Occupant Restraint and Distracted Driving campaign, with enforcement numbers pointing to ongoing concerns around both seatbelt use and distracted driving.
B.C. Highway Patrol issued 57 seatbelt and restraint tickets in the Kootenays in March 2026, up from 47 during the same period in 2025. Electronic device tickets declined slightly to 142 from 149 a year earlier.
“When you consider staffing changes, different enforcement techniques, weather, and other factors, these numbers are essentially flat,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of B.C. Highway Patrol. “Having said that, you can look around and see that too many people are still using their phones while driving. And why some people can’t bring themselves to use their seatbelt remains a mystery.”
Across the province, enforcement totals remained relatively stable year over year. Police issued 775 seatbelt and restraint tickets in March 2026, compared with 821 in March 2025. Electronic device tickets also dipped slightly to 2,722 from 2,738.
While some regions saw notable improvements, the Kootenays did not experience the same gains in seatbelt compliance. The increase in seatbelt-related tickets suggests more drivers are still failing to use proper restraints.
“Distracted driving is still one of the top three things that can kill you on BC roads, along with speed and impairment, and seatbelts are just such an easy way to save lives in collisions,” said McLaughlin. “As long as they continue to be problems, we will continue to educate through enforcement.”
