ORILLIA, Ont. – Provincial police say distracted driving deaths are on the rise.
They say OPP-investigated collisions involving an inattentive driver have claimed 11 lives so far this year — almost triple the four deaths at the same time last year.
OPP say deaths linked to distracted driving in 2017 continue to outpace those due to speed, which accounted for nine deaths, alcohol or drugs, blamed for six deaths, and non-use of seat belts for three fatalities.
They say OPP officers laid more than 2,400 distraction-related charges during their annual distracted driving campaign, which ran from March 13 to 19.
Police say they are calling on passengers to help save lives by showing zero tolerance toward drivers who text, talk on their cellphones, or engage in other distractions.