4 Days Of Enforcement Yields 96 Distracted Drivers

(Ottawa) – Over five days Ottawa Police issued 96 Provincial Offence Notices to drivers observed using their phones while driving. The fine is $280.

The blitz was part of the Leave the Phone Alone distracted driving campaign. Ottawa Police had announced that traffic officers would be conducting distracted driving enforcement from December 15 to 19.

“It’s important that drivers keep their attention and eyes on the road,” said East Division Traffic Sergeant Denis Hull. “When you are distracted behind the wheel you put yourself and others at risk.”

The enforcement was conducted primarily by officers in uniform.

In 2013, 40% of collisions in Ottawa involved distracted driving. If statistics continue at the present rate, distracted driving will be the number one cause of injuries and fatalities on our roadways, surpassing impaired driving, by 2016.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing texting or talking while driving.

Drivers can simply put the phone away while driving;
Passengers can remind drivers to focus on their driving if they reach for the phone;
Children can remind parents not to drive distracted;
Phone users can first ensure that the person they are calling or texting isn’t driving. If they are, tell them to wait until they can safely talk or text.
You can take the pledge not to text and drive at https://leavethephonealone.ca/pledge.php

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