(NEW TECUMSETH) Distracted Driving is a growing issue and it’s on track to become
a bigger problem.
Between 2002 and 2011, there was a 39% increase in deaths resulting from inattentive
and distracted driving, as well as a 26% increase in injuries, according to Ontario’s
Ministry of Transportation.
So far in 2014, the OPP report, 31 people have died in collisions that were a result of
In attentive and distracted driving. In 2013, incidents of in attentive driving – including
Driving while using a hand held device like a cellphone – resulted in 86 deaths on
Ontario’s roads.
Those 86 fatalities accounted for one-third of all deaths attributed to traffic collisions in
2013. There we3re more deaths on the road caused by distracted driving than either
drunk driving (65) or failing to wear as seat belt (71).
Transportation ministry officials say current collision trends show there’s no doubt that
Inattentive driving will become a more significant factor in traffic fatalities than drinking
and driving by 2016.
Since the Ontario Government passed a distractive driving law in 2010, more than
283,00 charges have been laid. A conviction carries a $280 fine. Ontario Transportation
Minister Steven Del Duca says he hopes to legislation introduced this fall which will beef
Up the penalty with increased fines and demerit points.
With school about to begin, motorists are once again reminded to be extra vigilant which
means not using handheld devices.