Police issued 364 distracted driving notices in April

The Greater Sudbury Police service issued 364 offence notices for distracted driving throughout the month of April.

The police service's traffic management unit concentrated its enforcement efforts on distracted driving throughout the month.

“Officers heard many excuses throughout the month of April; however, all explanations couldn’t justify the dangerous act of distracted driving,” police said in a press release.

“Every person charged had the option to pull over safely on the side of the road and park before responding to a call or text.”

Of the persons stopped, 11 drivers police charged with distracted driving were also suspended drivers. One Sudbury driver was charged three times for distracted driving during the month of April.

According to Alberta Transportation, distracted drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash than attentive drivers.

Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North America each year.

Persons convicted of distracted driving in Ontario receive six demerit points, can be fined up to $2,000, receive a jail term of up to six months, and have their licences suspended for up to two years.