NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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COUNTY OF WELLINGTON - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were highly visible during the recent Distracted Driving Campaign (March 11 - 17, 2019) in their ongoing efforts to seek out drivers found holding or using a hand-held electronic device while driving.
During the province-wide initiative, the OPP laid a total of 1,508 distracted driving charges. Officers laid an additional 51 distraction-related careless driving charges against drivers who were caught dividing their attention between driving and some other activity that made roads unsafe. To date this year, the OPP has laid over 2,000 distracted driving charges.
Locally, Wellington County OPP charged nine motorists with distracted driving during the campaign compared to four charges in the 2018 initiative. Although the campaign is over, officers will continue to enforce the distracted driving legislation and encourage motorists to put down the phone and focus on driving.
The OPP is reminding drivers that the increased distracted driving penalties that took effect on Jan. 1, 2019 may include a fine increase up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day licence suspension.
Buckle up, phone down!
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