Stay off your phone: Quebec police hand out over 1,900 tickets for distracted driving in operation
Almost 2,000 Quebec drivers learned the lesson police and concerned motorists have been advocating for since cellphones came into existence: Stay off your phone while driving.
Police forces across the province, in collaboration with the SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec) and Contrôle routier Québec (CRQ), launched Operation Distraction 2021 from Sept. 10 to 16.
They handed out more than 1,900 tickets to drivers using a hand-held electronic device or tablet while driving, Quebec provincial police said in a news release.
"Using a hand-held electronic device or display screen while driving reduces a driver's attention and concentration and increases the risk of being involved in a collision," the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said. "Distracted driving also greatly increases the risk of committing other traffic violations because you take your eyes off the road."
If caught using a phone while on the road, drivers can receive a fine, but if they cause an accident, injury or death, criminal charges could follow.
"It can go very far," said SQ spokesperson Audrey-Anne Bilodeau. "There are a lot of infractions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.