OPP to Make It More Difficult for Distracted Drivers to Hide Beginning Labour Day Long Weekend

Distracted Drivers Continue to Run Rampant in Ontario

ORILLIA, ON, Aug. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Motorists who talk on cell phones, text or engage in other forms of distraction while driving will be easier to spot now that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is dedicating more police vehicles to enforce Ontario's Distracted Driving legislation full-time.

Ten unmarked police vehicles will take to the roads over the Labour Day Long Weekend and the OPP anticipates that these additional resources are a much-needed measure to make Ontario roads safer for those who share the road with distracted drivers.

Thirty-five (35) people have died so far this year in motor vehicle collisions (within OPP jurisdiction) in which an inattentive driver was a contributing factor. In 2013, 86 people died in distraction-related collisions. This category of road fatality surpassed both impaired-related and speed-related deaths investigated by the OPP last year. Since Ontario's distracted driving laws were introduced in 2009, the OPP has investigated 374 inattentive-related road deaths (as of August 25, 2014).

"Our officers remain deeply concerned with the number of drivers they see driving distracted, especially those who talk on cell phones or even worse - texting, which is one of the most dangerous activities to engage in while driving.  Regardless of how safe a driver, passenger or pedestrian you may be, you should be equally concerned about the number of motorists who risk your life by not paying full attention to safely sharing the road with you," said Chief Superintendent Chuck Cox, Commander, OPP Highway Safety Division.

The vehicles are being implemented on the heels of a survey of licenced Ontario students, in which almost 50 per cent of Grade 12 students admitted to texting while driving. As of June 30, 2014, the OPP had laid over 10,000 charges to Ontario motorists who were caught driving while distracted.

Research shows that there is a common mindset among drivers that they can talk on their cell phone, text, or engage in other driver distractions and do so safely.  For this reason, when you are in a vehicle and the person driving engages in any form of distraction, take charge of your own safety. Never be afraid to speak up.  Tell the driver to focus entirely on driving and remind them that they are placing your life in danger and that you have the right to be safe.

With school buses and pedestrians travelling to and from schools beginning next week, the OPP is urging all motorists who engage in distraction to come to terms with the reality that there is no such thing as a "safe" distracted driver and that all distracted drivers pose a threat on our roads.

With many Ontarians heading out to take advantage of the last summer long weekend of the year, the OPP is reminding the public that they will be highly visible on roads, waterways and trails this weekend.  Police are asking the public to do their part by keeping themselves safe and contributing to an incident-free weekend.

LEARN MORE

Driving requires your full attention

Distracted Driving (CAA)

Survey (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

Is distracted driving as big a problem elsewhere?

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Contacts by OPP Region:
Highway Safety Division:  Sergeant Kerry Schmidt   Phone: [phone]
Central Region:  Sergeant Peter Leon   Phone: [phone]
East Region:   Sergeant Kristine Rae   Phone: [phone]
Northwest Region:  Sergeant Shelley Garr  Phone: [phone]
North East Region:  Sergeant Carolle Dionne   Phone: [phone]
West Region:  Sergeant Dave Rektor   Phone: [phone]