High school students in Oxford County will soon learn about the consequences of paying more attention to their phones than the road while behind the wheel.
The #PutDownThePhone campaign launches at high schools in Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, and Woodstock on Monday.
The Oxford County Injury Prevention Team (OCIPT), OPP, Woodstock police, and Oxford County public health nurses will be setup near student parking areas, stopping vehicles leaving for lunch and after school.
"We will let them know what counts as distracted driving. Some of the students aren't really aware," said Brittany Johnson, Oxford County public health nurse. "The back of the information card we are going to give them says using your phone to call, text, check maps or even choose a play list while you're behind the wheel all counts as distracted driving."
The information card also lists the $490 fine and three demerit point penalties for distracted driving.
"We are not there to force the message upon them. It's more of an easy going, 'here you go guys, did you know that distracted driving is a fine of $490 and you'll lose three demerit points? We just want to encourage you to be safe this winter season. Here's a candy cane and have a great day.' We aren't patronizing them at all so it should be well received," said Johnson.
The week long campaign was modeled after the Ministry of Transportation's initiative of the same name, which launched in June.
Since 2000, fatal collisions involving distracted drivers have doubled in Ontario. Motorists are four times more likely to crash if using a phone while driving, according to data from the provincial government.
