A two-week driving enforcement campaign in Whitby resulted in over 400 tickets – the majority for distracted driving.
Central West Division in Whitby assembled a team to conduct a two-week roadway safety initiative in February, focusing on distracted driving, in response to concerns from the community. Although the enforcement team moved around to multiple locations, the majority of time was spent at the intersection of Thickson Road South and Dundas Street East, said a police media release.
Further enforcement campaigns are planned for the future, the release added.
During the first week, the team issued 178 Provincial Offence Notices (PONs) for distracted driving and 49 other charges for infractions such as seatbelts not being used and driving without a license or insurance. Officers arrested eight suspended drivers and made two other arrests, it said.
Week Two saw the team issue 156 Provincial Offence Notices for distracted driving and 59 other charges, including two suspended drivers and one additional arrest.
The total after two weeks include 334 distracted driving charges, 108 other PON’s (including 10 suspended drivers) and three arrests (2 outstanding warrants, 1 theft in progress in the area).
Constable Ron Carquez, the Traffic Safety Coordinator for Central West Division, urged all motorists to pay attention when behind the wheel.
“Please focus on the task at hand and not on your cellphone screen,” he says “It just takes a few seconds of inattentiveness to cause a collision. It’s amazing how quick it can happen.”
He also wants to remind the public it is not permitted to check your phone while stopped at a traffic light and he urges the public to invest in a dashboard mount, so drivers can operate their phones hands free.