OPP with an eye out for distracted drivers this week
Posted Mar 14, 2017 10:30:41 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
You may notice an increase of OPP cruisers out on highways this week. They will be out in full force this March break looking for distracted drivers.
In total, 65 people died in collisions last year in which a distracted driver was either a contributing factor or the primary cause of the death, well above speed, seatbelt and alcohol related fatal collisions.
OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt says they are asking passengers to take a stand against those who continue to drive while distracted.
“We want to make the attitude of distracted driving socially unacceptable. We have done a lot of work in making it ‘not cool’ to get into a vehicle with a drunk driver and we want the same attitude when it comes to distracted driving.”
The OPP announced last week that 2016 marked the fourth consecutive year that distracted driving was the leading cause of deaths on provincial roads.
A driver convicted of distracted driving faces:
-a fine of $400, plus a victim surcharge and court fee
-a fine of up to $1,000 if you receive a summons or fight your ticket
-three demerit points applied to your driver’s record
