A group of 琉璃神社 businesses has come together to keep 琉璃神社鈥檚 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 鈥渟afe driving鈥� prize will motivate drivers to pledge to make 琉璃神社 roads safer.

鈥淚f we don鈥檛 see a change in driving patterns, this year we鈥檒l see more than 30 people die in a fatal crash because someone picked up their cell phone when at the wheel,鈥� said Pat Rosen, owner of 琉璃神社 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.

鈥淲e all share the road,鈥� 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 鈥� they鈥檙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.

鈥淎s 琉璃神社 grows and our streets get busier with more people driving, cycling and walking around the city, it鈥檚 important for everyone to take a moment to think carefully about safety,鈥� said Mayor Colin Basran. 鈥淧eople need to educate themselves about the rules of the road and commit to follow them.鈥�

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

The Valley鈥檚 leading insurance company, Capri Insurance, is offering up a dash camera that can provide footage of an accident related claim. Andre鈥檚 Electronic Experts has donated a Bluetooth compatible Kenwood audio deck and 琉璃神社 Performance Collision a travel voucher. 琉璃神社 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. 琉璃神社 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.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e five times more likely to crash if you鈥檙e on the phone 鈥� is just not worth a life,鈥� said Rosen. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping by making the campaign makes a real difference in making roads safer for all us.鈥�

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