PETERBOROUGH-Peterborough County OPP laid 49 distracted driving charges in focused campaign leading up to the Easter long weekend.
The week of Monday March 30, 2026, through to Sunday April 5, 2026, the Peterborough County OPP focused additional attention on Distracted Driving in an effort to reduce opportunities for collisions within the community. During the week, there were a total of 49 Distracted Driving charges laid.
Under section 78.1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) the actual wording states, “No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand held wireless communication device or other prescribed device.”. Courts have clarified that merely holding the device is sufficient for the charge and just because you may be stopped at a traffic light, doesn’t make it okay to text. Using a hand-held device while driving is not a matter of convenience, it is a serious safety risk and a preventable cause of collisions.
The penalties for a first-time conviction include fines ranging from $615 to $1,000, 3 demerit points and a three-day suspension. For Novice drivers, an immediate 30-day licence suspension for first conviction, 90-day suspension for second conviction, and licence cancellation for a third conviction are imposed. Police say these penalties can have serious consequences on an individual, but not nearly as serious as the affects of a collision caused by a Distracted Driver.
“Distracted driving is entirely preventable. Put the phone away, keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel. The Ontario Provincial Police urge every driver to make safe choices that protect themselves and others-because one moment of distraction can change lives forever.” said police.
