Labour Day weekend in Ontario had officers out and about searching for distracted drivers. With the intent to increase awareness about distracted driving dangers, officers tried to end the summer on a safe note. However, incoming statistics reveal a four percent rise in traffic charges over the holiday weekend.
The year’s tally for distracted driving deaths on local roads is 41 and distracted driver crashes have increased to 20 percent. New legislation regarding distracted driving went into effect on Sept. 1. These laws stipulate a $490 fine for distracted driving, along with three points. If drivers decide to contest the penalty, they may receive a fine up to $1,000 if convicted. The idea is that increased fines will act preventatively to minimize Ontario’s distracted driving accidents.
Looking away from the road, removing your hands from the steering wheel and not being conscious about driving are three forms of distracted driving. Texting and driving involve all three kinds of distracted driving and, therefore, is extremely dangerous.
To offset the texting and driving phenomenon, Text Stops were created which encourage people to pull off the road first and then text. Text Stops are located in King City, Woodstock, Port Hope, and Cambridge North.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) relayed a rise in these categories over Labour Day weekend in Ontario: seatbelt charges, impaired charges, racing charges and speeding charges. Each of these distracted driving charges reflected increases from 2014. It is reported that 407 inattentive driver charges were also given out.
In addition, four fatalities occurred because of two fatal crashes involving alcohol. OPP police officers encourage safety among motorists and ask the public to drive in a responsible way. If you were injured in a car accident because of someone else’s distracted driving and you want to speak to a personal injury lawyer, contact Greg Monforton & Partners today.
Call (866) 320-4770 or fill out a Free Case Evaluation.