Police are calling the results of a recent campaign focusing on distracted driving “staggering.”
On Oct. 22 Wellington County OPP officers, in partnership with the OPP West Region Highway Safety Division, focused their attention on distracted drivers.
The one-day campaign produced some “concerning” numbers police say, including 40 distracted driving charges, 20 speeders, one charge for driving without insurance and eight various traffic violations.
“The results of this one-day campaign are staggering,” said Wellington OPP Inspector Scott Lawson. “With all the awareness in the media, I do not understand why drivers continue to put themselves and others in harm’s way by being distracted.”
OPP officials say police will continue to educate and create awareness with motorists about the dangers of driving distracted, which includes adjusting a vehicle’s entertainment or GPS unit or stereo, eating and drinking, using a hand-held device such as a cell phone, self-grooming, or tending to children in the backseat.
On Sept. 1 the penalty for distracted driving rose to $490 and three demerit points. If contested, drivers can be fined up to $1,000 upon conviction for inattentive driving.
