The kids may be out of school this week, but North Bay area OPP aren’t taking a ‘March Break’ from enforcing distracted driving laws.

They’re holding a campaign all week (March 12-18) that is focused on distracted driving and educating road users in an effort to change driving behaviour and save lives.

Police say studies show a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a collision than a driver who is focused on the road.

OPP say there are three types of distractions when driving:
– Visual attention – taking your eyes off the road
– Manual attention – taking your hands off the wheel
– Cognitive attention – taking your mind off what you are doing

Police say all three can endanger lives, but texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction.

The fine for driving while holding a hand- held device or having a screen visible to the driver is now $490 and 3 demerit points.

Filed under: north-bay-opp