Distracted Drivers Cause Most Collisions OPP Report

September 21, 2017, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The OPP recently released a statement that distracted driving is the primary cause of road collisions in the province, and that the number of people being killed in car accidents due to distracted driving is rising steadily.

"Our collision data is compelling evidence that drivers who text, talk on their cell phone or are distracted in some other way, take a tremendous toll on the safety of those who share the road with them," OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes  

According to the OPP here are the grim numbers:

• 47 people have died in Ontario since January 1, 2017 in distracted driving accidents
• 6360 car accidents were caused by distracted driving
• 4700 car accidents were due to excessive speed and
• 1158 caused by impaired drivers.

The OPP and municipal forces all suggest there are ways that drivers can help reduce distraction by:

• keeping their phones out of sight when driving
• pulling over in a safe location to answer a call or text
• turning the volume/notifications off when you get in the car
• placing your phone on airplane mode
• putting your phone in the trunk
• installing an app that blocks the display/incoming texts when the car is in motion

Police also suggest that as a passenger you can pressure drivers to stop being distracted by voicing your concern.

The problem is nation wide, but Hamilton police indicated that distracted driving was a contributing factor in nearly half of the fatal collisions in the last five years in Ontario.

When you get in the car please put the phone away. If you can’t resist checking your phone when it rings or buzzes then turn it off. There isn’t anything so important that it cannot wait until you have a chance to pull over.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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