(PERTH COUNTY, ON) Starting this Saturday, March 14th until Friday March 20th, Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers will be working in conjunction with OPP officers throughout the province to participate in the OPP Distracted Driving Campaign. During this week, additional focus will be placed on education and enforcement of the legislation pertaining to the use of electronic devices while operating motor vehicles.
Since October 26, 2009, legislation in Ontario has been in place that specifically outlaws the use of handheld devices while driving and the use of in-vehicle entertainment systems visible to the driver.
During 2014, the Perth County OPP actively participated in the March Distracted Driving Campaign. During this week, 37 drivers were charged with driving a motor vehicle while using a hand-held communication device.
“Drivers need to understand that operating a motor vehicle is a complex task and distractions will lead to inattentiveness. The 2014 Perth County collision statistics indicate that within the county the OPP attended to 101 inattentive-related crashes. This is troubling to say the least, as this makes up nearly one fifth of the collisions we investigated. Let’s eliminate these senseless collisions that occur because of distracted driving. Put away your hand-held electronic devices and place all your attention on the complex task of driving”. A/Inspector Brad Thompson, Detachment Commander, Perth County OPP
On March 18, 2014, the fine for using hand-held communication devices rose to $280 including the victim surcharge and court fee. Drivers who drive without due care and attention and allow themselves to be distracted by other activities can also be charged with the more serious offence of Careless Driving, pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.