As part of the provincial Distracted Driving Campaign which ran from March 14 – 20, 2016 members of Central Hastings OPP laid 25 charges of Drive With Handheld Communication Device.
On March 16, 2016 at 10 a.m. an officer discovered a driver holding his cell phone in his hand while utilizing speaker phone as he was driving on Highway # 62 near Millennium Drive in the City of Belleville.
On March 18, 2016 at 1:50 p.m. an officer observed a driver manipulating the cell phone key pad while driving on Victoria Street in the Village of Tweed.
In both instances the drivers were charged with Drive With Handheld Communication Device which carries a fine of $490.
“Unfortunately too many drivers continue to multitask while driving, which means their focus is diverted from the principal task of driving. Drivers need to acknowledge that driving while using a cell phone is a dangerous practice that endangers the lives of drivers, passengers and all road users” says Central Hastings OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Peter Valiquette.
Focused enforcement of distracted driving laws will continue to be a detachment priority.
