The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is kicking off the annual Thanksgiving long weekend traffic campaign this Friday.
The initiative runs from Friday, October 11, until Monday, October 14, 2024, and officers will be focusing on the “Big 4”, which includes seatbelt compliance, distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving.
Northumberland OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that Ontario’s distracted driving laws apply to the use of hand-held communication/entertainment devices and certain display screens.
While you are driving, including when you are 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 dial – 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
program a GPS device, except by voice commands.
You are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth. You can view GPS display screens as long as they are built into your vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted on the dashboard.
For more information and penalties, please visit: Distracted driving | ontario.ca
Northumberland OPP will be increasing patrols and enforcement of the “Big 4” to ensure compliance and to prevent collisions before they happen. We encourage all drivers to be vigilant, follow traffic laws, and drive responsibly.
Remember, safe driving is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe and ensure that everyone has a safe enjoyable Thanksgiving long weekend.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
