TORONTO – Ontario Provincial Police statistics show distracted driving deaths have surpassed both impaired and speed related fatalities in 2013.
The numbers were released to coincide with the OPP’s distracted driving campaign that runs from Saturday March 8 to 14.
A total of 78 people died related to distracted driving collisions compared to 55 for impaired driving and 44 for speed.
“When you consider the overall impact of these 78 fatalities last year and the 325 other distracted driving victims who have died since 2010, the number of people these irresponsible drivers have had a profound and devastating impact on is in the thousands,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support in a media release.
The OPP want to remind drivers to refrain from texting or talking on the phone while in their vehicle and continue to practice good behavior on the roads.
Those caught with distracted driving will also face a much stiffer penality in the coming weeks.
On March 18, the current distracted driving fine of $155 will jump to $280.
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