OPP CAUTION DRIVERS – SLOW DOWN AND STAY OFF THE PHONE

Written by Thunder Bay OPP on 31 March 2011

FROM/DE: THUNDER BAY DETACHMENT DATE: March 30, 2011

Thunder Bay, ON – Now that Spring has arrived, OPP are reminding the motoring public to slow down and abide by the posted speed limits.

March 23^rd 2011, an Officer stopped two drivers, in two separate incidents, for driving in excess of 130 km/hr in a posted 90/km/hr zone on the Thunder Bay Expressway.

March 25^th 2011, an Officer stopped a driver for driving in excess of 155 km/hr in a posted 90 km/hr zone on the Thunder Bay Expressway. The driver was issued a 7 day licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days.

Also, the Driver Distraction legislation came into effect over a year ago, on February 1^st 2010 and some motorists are continuing to text and talk on cell phones while driving.

The legislation makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or e-mail using hand held cell phones and other hand held communications and entertainment devices.

Studies show that a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash than a driver focused on the road.

The fine for using such devices is $155.00.