Police Says, Despite the Ban, Using Phone Causes More Accidents Each Years

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

OPP Sgt. Woodford expressed deep concerns while highlighting that law enforcement officials are increasingly struggling to deal with the problem of distracted driving. He alleged that, with the exception of Nunavut, all other provinces and territories in Canada have effectively banned using hand-held devices while driving. It was disclosed that several U.S. states, including New York and California, also have similar legislation in place.

However, Woodford unveiled that at least a quarter of people killed on OPP-patrolled highways this year, i.e. 47 out of 177 road fatalities, have passed away due to their “inattentiveness” while driving. Out of which, Sgt. Woodford alleged that majority were the cases of people who attempted to text or talk on the phone while driving.

Speaking of the ban, Sgt. Woodford stated that “a lot of people are trying to hide it.” He added that “their eyes are off the road. Within three or four seconds, you’ve travelled across the length of a football field, and a lot can happen. Someone can cut in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Suddenly, you’re in the guard rail.” Ban on using hand-held devices while driving was passed in Ontario in 2009, still distracted driving has crept up as a cause for road fatalities, increasing from 19 per cent in 2010 up to 26 per cent so far this year. CAA has concluded from its findings that drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash in comparison to those who don’t.