A group of Kelowna businesses has come together to keep Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 roads safer, launching an online pledge and contest at mydrivingpledge.com.

Distracted driving is becoming a higher risk every year for residents in the Southern Interior. These local businesses are hoping the incentive of winning a 害羞草研究所渟afe driving害羞草研究所� prize will motivate drivers to pledge to make Kelowna roads safer.

害羞草研究所淚f we don害羞草研究所檛 see a change in driving patterns, this year we害羞草研究所檒l see more than 30 people die in a fatal crash because someone picked up their cell phone when at the wheel,害羞草研究所� said Pat Rosen, owner of Kelowna Cycle, who has made it his priority to be an advocate for safer roads.

ICBC reports an average of 140 injured cyclists in car crashes each year in the Southern Interior.

害羞草研究所淲e all share the road,害羞草研究所� said Rosen, who has offered up a $500 gift certificate to his cycle store as a pledge prize.

Failing to yield the right of way is one of the leading causes of crashes that result in injuries or deaths (ICBC Statistics). Intersections are hot spots for crashes 害羞草研究所� they害羞草研究所檙e busy locations where cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles need to cross paths and share space. ICBC named Harvey and Spall Road as the number one crash intersection in the Southern Interior.

害羞草研究所淎s Kelowna grows and our streets get busier with more people driving, cycling and walking around the city, it害羞草研究所檚 important for everyone to take a moment to think carefully about safety,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Colin Basran. 害羞草研究所淧eople need to educate themselves about the rules of the road and commit to follow them.害羞草研究所�

The prizes to spur involvement in making the pledge are valued at just under $2,000.

The Valley害羞草研究所檚 leading insurance company, Capri Insurance, is offering up a dash camera that can provide footage of an accident related claim. Andre害羞草研究所檚 Electronic Experts has donated a Bluetooth compatible Kenwood audio deck and Kelowna Performance Collision a travel voucher. Kelowna Mercedes Benz is also putting its weight behind the driving pledge by offering a luxury Taylor Made golf bag.

The driving pledge comes in advance of the new fines for distracted driving. Beginning June 1, a first offense will cost drivers $543 in financial penalties. Kelowna RCMP is also in the midst of a rollout of new distracted driving scopes, capable of spotting drivers who may be texting or on the phone from up to 1.2 km away.

Last year during May long weekend enforcement, RCMP in B.C. handed out 199 tickets for using an electronic device while driving.

害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檙e five times more likely to crash if you害羞草研究所檙e on the phone 害羞草研究所� is just not worth a life,害羞草研究所� said Rosen. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e hoping by making the campaign makes a real difference in making roads safer for all us.害羞草研究所�

Winners will be chosen before the July long weekend. Drivers can share safety messages at mydrivingpledge.com until June 28.