A total of 40 drivers were ticketed in Sarnia for distracted driving offences during a two day community safety initiative that was made public knowledge prior to commencement.
Police officials say on June 6th and 7 officers from the Sarnia Police Service Traffic Unit, Community Services Division and COPPS Unit conducted a two day distracted driving blitz focusing on drivers using hand-held communication or entertainment devices.
Of the 40 drivers, 23 were female and 17 were male.
The youngest driver was 18 and the oldest was 69.
Roughly half the drivers stopped were aware of the two day blitz.
10 other tickets were handed out for various offences under The Highway Traffic Act.
In addition, most drivers who received fines for distracted driving while checking their cell phones at a red light were unaware that this action constituted an offence.
The Sarnia Police Service would once again like to remind drivers that “hands free driving” means hands on the steering wheel – not on your phone. This includes being stopped at a red light, stop sign, traffic jam, etc. If you need to use your cell phone, please pull off the road or use a device that allows your phone to operate “hands free”.
The offence of driving with a hand-held communication device or hand-held entertainment device is $490.00 and a gain of three demerit points.
