Peterborough County OPP laid 49 distracted driving charges during a focused enforcement campaign leading into the Easter long weekend.
The campaign ran from Monday, March 30 to Sunday, April 5, with officers increasing attention on distracted driving to reduce the risk of collisions.
Under section 78.1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, the legislation states:
“No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand held wireless communication device or other prescribed device.”
Police note that simply holding a device can result in a charge, even when stopped at a traffic light.
First-time convictions carry fines between $615 and $1,000, three demerit points, and a three-day licence suspension. Novice drivers face escalating penalties, including a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second, and licence cancellation for a third.
OPP are reminding drivers that distracted driving is preventable and urging people to put phones away and focus on the road.
Anyone with information about suspected unlawful activity can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
