Halton Police have released the stats from their recent road safety initiative, Project It Can Wait.
Over the two-week span, 199 tickets were issued, along with nine warnings.
The end-result of the campaign is to remind drivers that driving while distracted is an offence.
The Halton Regional Police Service and Halton Region would like to remind drivers that Ontario’s distracted driving law states that while you are driving, including when stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to:
– use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or call- you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency;
– use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console;
– view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video; and
– program a GPS device, except by voice commands.
“#ItCanWaitHalton was a public enforcement campaign that aimed to positively influence driver behaviour and reduce the use of handheld devices while driving,” said HRPS Deputy Chief Jeff Hill. “Enforcement of distracted driving will continue to be a priority for our officers, but our hope is that through continued education there will be a reduced need for enforcement going forward.”
Residents are reminded that they can report a distracted driver through the Halton Regional Police Service’s Road Watch Online reporting tool. To learn more, visit haltonpolice.ca. For more tips on how to avoid distracted driving visit halton.ca
“Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service continue to work together to ensure our roads and communities remain safe. I encourage drivers to take an active role in preventing accidents by putting their phone away and focusing on driving safely,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “When you are behind the wheel, everything else can wait.”
