For the fourth straight year, distracted driving was the top cause of fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads in 2016.
Provincial police say 65 people died in collisions on OPP-patrolled roads last year in which an inattentive driver was either a contributing factor or the primary cause of the death. That compares to 55 speeding, 53 seatbelt, and 45 alcohol-related deaths last year.
OPP Sergeant Dave Rektor is begging drivers and passengers to use common sense.
"We don't have that magic pill to stop distracted driving. We're not sure what it's going to take, it was our hope it wouldn't take as long as impaired driving or seatbelt education to get the message across that it's lethal," says Rektor.
With the exception of 2012, inattentive drivers have taken more lives on OPP-patrolled roads than speeding and drunk drivers since Ontario distracted driving laws took effect in 2009.
Distracted drivers face a $400 fine and three demerit points.
Rektor says increased patrols will be out for March break, adding "this is the time when there's a lot of vehicles on the road and there's a lot more people in the vehicles".
Rektor says the OPP wants to empower passengers to stand up and keep drivers accountable.
"If they see somebody driving distracted or impaired or speeding or driving aggressively, speak up, you have a voice," he says. "It's your life that they're dealing with if you're a passenger in their car."
