OPP West Region is currently running the “Stay Focused” campaign to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, until April 4th, with officers increasing enforcement on roads and highways.
Drivers caught being distracted behind the wheel will face strict penalties as police take a zero-tolerance approach. Last year, 45 people died in crashes linked to inattentive driving in West Region alone, a sharp increase from 15 deaths in 2023. Across Ontario, 82 people lost their lives in distracted driving-related accidents, up from 57 the previous year.
OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt says the number of preventable distracted driving deaths for last year was shocking.
He says the consequences are very serious. Aside from a hefty fine if you’re caught, you could cause a death, either yours or someone else’s.
Distracted driving includes activities such as using a phone, adjusting a GPS or stereo, eating, drinking, grooming, or tending to passengers while driving. The OPP urges passengers to speak up if they see a driver not paying attention to the road.
