(Pembroke, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police have completed their Distracted Driving Campaign to raise awareness of how important it is to pay attention and obey the law while driving. The weeklong campaign ran from March 8th to March 14th and resulted in 76 distracted driving charges in the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment area alone. Although the campaign has concluded, members of the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment will continue to actively enforce the distracted driving law.
Using electronic devices while driving is a serious safety problem. Most drivers know that texting while driving is a dangerous behaviour, but many still use their cell phones and other mobile devices when they are behind the wheel, putting themselves and others a risk. Many drivers see distracted driving as risky behaviour when others do it, but fail to recognize their own vulnerability.
In 2013, distracted driving fatalities surpassed both impaired and speed related fatalities in fatal motor vehicle collisions investigated by the OPP. A total of 78 persons died in distracted driving related collisions compared to 57 impaired driving deaths and 44 speed related deaths last year.
The OPP is reminding motorists that on March 18, 2014 the current distracted driving fine of $155 will jump to $280 (this includes the increased $225 fine plus a $50 victim fine surcharge and $5 court cost).