Perth County OPP has charged 42 per cent more motorists with distracted driving during a crack down from March 14 to 20.
54 drivers were issued a $280 ticket, up from 38 motorists a year ago.
The increase is similar to the 47 per cent increase in distracted driving charges issued across southwestern Ontario between this year and last.
“The Perth County OPP will continue its road safety education and enforcement as we want to keep roadways in Perth County safer. Perhaps this campaign has contributed to creating greater awareness and thus may prevent the tragedy of a serious collision caused by a distracted driver,” says Acting Inspector Brad Thompson, the interim Perth County OPP detachment commander.
In South Bruce, the OPP laid 15 distracted driving charges, and investigated 13 motor vehicle collisions during the campaign.
“I find it frustrating to that see so many drivers still use a cell phone while driving. It’s a dangerous act that has quickly become the most common causal factor in serious collisions. The campaign may have ended, but a distracted driver remains a constant threat to all road users. The South Bruce OPP will continue to identify and stop those drivers that put others at risk,” says Acting Inspector Mike Beatty, detachment commander with the South Bruce OPP.
“Whether you were a follower who showed support through social media, a driver who set a good example behind the wheel, or a passenger who spoke up to a distracted driver in the vehicle, thank you, and please keep working towards making distracted driving a socially unacceptable behaviour on our roads,” says Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, provincial commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.
