Cell Phone Fines Now Enforced

February 1, 2010

The Owen Sound Police Service is reminding drivers who talk and text while driving that their educational period is over on Monday.

Owen Sound Police Service Inspector Stephen MacKinnon stated, “For the last three months our police officers have been stopping and warning those drivers who were talking or texting on their cell phones while their motor vehicles were in motion.  The message was clear; keep your eyes focused on the road with your hands on the steering wheel not on your cell phone.  If you cannot do that then do not set your vehicle in motion because you are endangering yourself and others.” 

The Owen Sound Police have stopped 35 drivers since November of 2009 when the 3-month grace period on the new Countering Distracted Driving legislation.  The vast majority were driving while talking on their hand-held cell phones, while the remainder were actually texting and driving.  The number of drivers each month was consistent at 12, 11, and 12 respectively.  There were no cautions for using hand-held entertainment devices such as laptop computers or DVD players.

“The education period will come to an end on Monday the 1st of February.  If you are a driver and have not heard the message then perhaps the $155 ticket you will receive may help drive the point home,” said MacKinnon.

The use of “hands-free” cell phones is permitted. 
 

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