O.P.P. Corner
Pay attention – don't drive while distracted.
By: Staff Sergeant Ed Hickey, 407 Detachment Commander, Ontario Provincial Police.
As a driver, you are responsible for driving safely at all times without distraction. Below, we lay out the facts about distracted driving.
The true danger to public safety lies in the distraction, not the device. Distracted driving is not limited to cell phone use, but refers to all forms of distracted or inattentive driving, such as adjusting a vehicle's entertainment or GPS unit, eating and drinking, self-grooming or tending to children in the backseat.
Distracted driving is not a “young driver problem”. Drivers of all ages need to recognize how they contribute to the various forms of distracted driving and change their driving behaviour.
Consequences of distracted driving can be severe. While the fine for using handheld devices while driving is $155 (including the victim assistance surcharge), distracted drivers could also be charged with the more serious offence of Careless Driving.
