City police nab 40 in distracted driving blitz

Journal Staff Sarnia Police ticketed 40 motorists for distracted driving during a June 6-7 safety initiative, despite having forewarned the public the blitz was coming.

Journal Staff

Sarnia Police ticketed 40 motorists for distracted driving during a June 6-7 safety initiative, despite having forewarned the public the blitz was coming.

A total of 23 women and 17 men were charged with using hand-held communication or entertainment devices while driving.

The youngest was 18 and the oldest 69, said Const. Nelson Amaral, of the community services branch.

About half of the drivers stopped told officers they were aware of the two-day blitz.

“Hands free” means hands on the steering wheel – not on your cell phone, and applies even to checking a phone when stopped at a red light or stop sign, Amaral said.

The penalty is $490.00 and three demerit points.

Ten other tickets were handed out for various offences under The Highway Traffic Act, police said.