On August 31st, a tanker truck overturned on Highway 401 westbound near Shannonville Road. Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Lennox & Addington County quickly responded to the scene, but the situation soon escalated. No fewer than 18 drivers, including two truck drivers, were caught using their phones while driving to film the accident scene and take photos, despite the presence of emergency responders and the potential risks their actions posed. Each driver was issued a $615 fine.
On September 1st, a similar incident occurred on Highway 417, where an Ottawa motorist was stopped by OPP officers for using their phone to film an accident scene. This behavior, which not only endangers the person filming but also jeopardizes the safety of all other road users, led to the driver receiving a $615 fine, along with three demerit points and a three-day license suspension.
Over the Labor Day weekend, law enforcement intensified traffic enforcement across Ontario’s East Region. This operation, which ran from August 30th to September 2nd, resulted in the issuance of 1,653 citations, with 34 specifically for distracted driving.
Unfortunately, several fatal accidents were also reported during this period, highlighting once again the dangers associated with speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. According to Inspector Walid Kandar of the OPP East Region, these tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety regulations for all drivers on the road.
