The OPP has announced that distracted drivers are causing more accidents than ever before.
So far this year inattentive driving has caused more crashes on roads patrolled by the OPP than speeding, drugs and alcohol combined. According to a press release from the OPP since January 1st distracted driving has been the reported cause of over 6,300 collisions. During the same time over 1,100 crashes were blamed on the driver being intoxicated and 4,700 were the result of speeding. They add that 47 people have died this year in crashes involving a distracted driver, which is up from 39 at this time last year.
Some suggestions from OPP officer Suzanne Runciman on how you can help include; don’t use your phone while driving, voice your concerns while in the car with a distracted driver and spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving in your community or workplace. According to the OPP distracted driving has claimed more lives on OPP patrolled roads than speeding, alcohol, or drugs every year since 2009 except for 2012.