Hastings & Prince Edward Counties/ September 1, 2015 – The Quinte Region Traffic Coalition (QRTC) is launching its “On the Road, Off the Phone” distracted driving campaign to coincide with the Labour Day weekend provincial enforcement campaign. The campaign will run throughout the region from September 4-7. Police will be focusing on all traffic infractions with extra attention being paid to distracted driving.
“Distracted driving is a serious issue on our roads today,” says Constable Scott Preston of the Stirling-Rawdon Police Service. “Drivers may not realize, but cell phone use (hand-held or hands-free) delays a driver’s reaction as much as a legally impaired driver.”
Effective September 1, 2015, drivers caught using a hand-held device will receive a fine of $490 and 3 demerit points. Examples of hand-held devices include iPods, GPS and MP3 players, cell phones, laptops and DVD players.
As a reminder to drivers to stay off the phone while driving, the QRTC will be distributing “On the Road, Off the Phone” car magnets.
About the Quinte Region Traffic Coalition
The Quinte Region Traffic Coalition is a partnership of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, Belleville Police Service, Stirling-Rawdon Police Service, 21 Military Police Flight, Napanee Highway Safety Division and the Bancroft, Central Hastings, Napanee, Prince Edward County and Quinte West OPP Detachments.
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