OPP Targeting Distracted Driving

This March break, Ontario Provincial Police are targeting distracted drivers. Last year distracted driving was a factor in 69 fatal crashes, compared to 61 speed related, 51 involved seat belts and 45 were attributed to impaired driving. Lambton OPP Constable Travis Parsons says distracted driving is just as dangerous as driving drunk. "Distracted driving refers to all forms of distracted or inattentive driving such as adjusting a vehicles entertainment of GPS unit, eating and drinking, using a handheld device, self-grooming or attending to children in the backseat," says Parsons. "Drivers need to remember the true danger to public safety lies in the distraction not the device." Fines for distracted driving range from $400 to $1,000 and three demerit points. The annual initiative wraps up March 20.