News release
Monthly Road Report: Richmond RCMP reports 329 distracted driving charges in March
April 20, 2026
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Richmond, British Columbia
From: Richmond RCMP
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Throughout March 2026, Richmond RCMP conducted 16 targeted enforcement operations and 3 joint force operations, resulting in 329 charges for the use of an electronic device while driving, leading to more than $191,478 in fines and associated penalties for offending drivers.
In total, officers issued 1,230 traffic violation tickets during the month. Enforcement efforts aligned with the BC Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) monthly enforcement calendar objective: Distracted Drivers Campaign.
Enforcement operations
On March 5, a joint force operation led by the Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit (RSU) involving Richmond RCMP volunteers, Vancouver Police Department, BC Highway Patrol, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Mobile Enforcement Team, and the Fraser Coast Integrated Road Safety Unit resulted in 120 charges.
On March 13, a joint force operation combining education and enforcement involved Officers working with spotters to observe offences in stopped traffic resulted in 22 charges within three hours.
On March 30, a joint force operation involving volunteers and members dressed as sanitation workers identified 31 offences in 2.5 hours.
Volunteer monitoring
Richmond RCMP volunteers supported the educational component of the campaign throughout March, monitoring 11,392 vehicles and observing 119 offences. Observations of distracted driving offences during these operations that were not stopped by officers were documented to support the issuance of warning letters to registered owners of the offenders’ vehicles. In some cases, the receipt of such a letter may lead to a conversation in the household about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage a change in behaviour.
HOV enforcement on Russ Baker Way
On March 13, RSU members conducted two separate enforcement operations at the Russ Baker Way High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane. The location is not designated as an EV OK location. Several warnings were issued to electric vehicle (EV) drivers who were unaware they did not qualify to use the lane under the three-person occupancy requirement. Sixteen charges were laid over a four-hour period.
The HOV Lane on Russ Baker Way northbound onto the Arthur Laing Bridge requires three or more occupants regardless of vehicle type. Under section 42.02(5) of the BC MVAR, EV drivers may only use HOV lanes where a traffic control device specifies EVs are permitted. Enforcement will continue in light of the legislation that took effect February 1, 2026.
More information on the BC HOV EV Program can be found on the BC HOV EV program site.
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Quotes
Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of collisions resulting in serious injury or death in British Columbia, second only to speeding. The results from March reflect the commitment of our officers, our volunteers, and our partner agencies to keeping Richmond roads safe. We are grateful for the collaboration that makes this level of enforcement possible.”
Cst. Frank Tarape, Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit