PHONE IN ONE HAND, TICKET IN THE OTHER
FROM/DE: Nipigon Detachment DATE: May 13, 2011
OPP Distracted Driving Campaign
NIPIGON, ON –The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has made distracted driving one of its four major causes of death and injury on Ontario roads. The week of May 16 to May 22 will be the first of four one-week enforcement campaigns on distracted driving over the next 12 months. Nipigon and Schreiber OPP officers will be stepping up enforcement actively looking for distracted drivers while on patrol.
Distracted driving can be defined as any activity which takes a driver’s attention away from driving. This could include adjusting the stereo, searching for something in the car, eating or drinking while driving, using a handheld device or using other entertainment devices. In early 2010, the OPP began to enforce a law, section 78 of the Highway Traffic Act, which made it illegal in Ontario for driver’s to use any handheld communications and entertainment devices. Distracted drivers can also be charged with the more serious offence of Careless Driving, section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act.
Distracted driving is a serious offence that costs lives. It is the responsibility of every driver to devote all of their attention to driving. Driving with a phone in one hand will result with a ticket in the other.
