Police across British Columbia have handed out more than 21,000 tickets in the last six months to drivers who were speeding, impaired or using hand-held cell phones.

The majority of those tickets, nearly 20,000, were to drivers caught using cell phones after the ban came into effect Feb. 1.

From Sept. 20 to Oct. 10, authorities also doled out more than 1,400 penalties for drinking and driving and 435 for excessive speeding -- driving 40 kilometres or more over the posted limit.

Speaking at a road safety event in Richmond, Solicitor General Mike de Jong said the tallies are alarming but prove police are responding and enforcing the new regulations.

"Now almost 20,000 British Columbians have found out the hard way that there are ramifications for doing something common sense tells you that you shouldn't be doing," he said.

Impaired Driving

Police have impounded 1,239 vehicles from impaired drivers since the new laws took effect Sept. 20. The government said the majority of drivers failed a .08 roadside breathalyzer test.

Under the new B.C. laws – now Canada's toughest – motorists can lose their driver's licence, have their vehicle impounded, and pay costs ranging from $600 to $4,060 if they are caught behind the wheel while impaired.

Drivers with a blood alcohol level of between .05 and .08 face a three-day roadside prohibition, while blowing .08 and above can see drivers without their cars for 90 days.

Below is a regional breakdown of the sanctions for impaired driving handed out to B.C. motorists in the first three weeks since the legislation took effect:

  • Lower Mainland - 617: 3-day IRP: 254, 90-day IRP: 363
  • Vancouver Island - 262: 3-day IRP: 101, 90 day IRP: 161
  • Southern Region - 253: 3-day IRP: 109, 90 day IRP: 144
  • North - 156: 3-day IRP: 51, 90 day IRP: 105
  • Total - 1,288: 3-day IRP: 515, 90 day IRP: 773

All 435 excessive speeders had their cars impounded for seven days.

This penalty jumps to 30 days for a second offence, or 60 days for subsequent excessive speeding within two years. Drivers also face towing and/or impoundment costs.

De Jong said the penalties are a drop in the bucket.

"I believe that if someone insists on driving through a school zone during the day with kids playing at 80 kilometres an hour, losing their car for a week is a small price to pay in comparison to the tragedy that can occur," he said.

De Jong insists the province isn't out for a cash grab with its recent ticket enforcement. He says the government hopes it can negate the need to issue fines, and instead just change the dangerous driving behaviour of people on the roads.

The B.C. government is kicking in $450,000 to help independent police departments with their holiday and Counterattack campaigns, due to run from Oct. 29 to Jan. 3, 2011.