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The number of distracted driving tickets issued in B.C. has steadily fallen for the past three years, possibly because drivers are getting craftier when using their electronics.

According to data from the Insurance Corp. of B.C., between 2010 and 2016 police handed out more than 300,000 tickets for distracted driving, that includes using an electronic device and emailing or texting while driving. Of those alleged violations, just over 280,000 resulted in convictions.

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In 2010, 21,300 tickets were processed, rising to a high of 54,800 in 2014. Since then, the number of tickets has decreased, to 49,300 in 2015 and 42,700 in 2016.

During the first four months of 2018, 7,309 distracted driving tickets resulted in convictions — almost 6,000 fewer than the same period last year.

The reasons behind the drop in distracted driving tickets — part of an overall decrease in the number of traffic tickets being issued — are not clear according to Mark Milner, program manager for ICBC’s road safety department.