Provincial police continue nabbing distracted drivers in Essex County.
An undercover officer with Operation "Stop Texting and Travel Safely" (STATS) issued 26 cell phone tickets in Leamington over the weekend. The OPP said they used a plain clothes officer as a "spotter" on Saturday and Sunday and several intercepting patrol officers to process violators in the area of Erie Street and Oak Street. Essex County OPP have processed over 270 violations since the campaign began on September 17.
Police remind drivers that simply holding a cell phone or other electronic device while driving is against the law. They also said penalties for distracted driving will increase on January 1 to a fine of up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day driver's licence suspension.
Also effective January 1, the OPP said novice drivers will face the same fines as regular drivers as well as a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction, a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction, cancellation of their licence and removal from the Graduated Licencing System for a third conviction.