Provincial police in Essex County were kept busy this Easter holiday long weekend busting bad drivers.
The OPP said the total charges laid in this year's annual traffic blitz were up 73 per cent or 218 compared to last year.
Essex County OPP officers handed out a total of 377 tickets to lead all West Region OPP detachments in several categories, including speeding, distracted driving, hazardous moving violations and mandatory auto insurance charges. A total of 243 speeding tickets were issued, along with five stunt driving/racing charges, 21 for not wearing a seatbelt, 13 for distracted driving, 32 for hazardous moving violations, and 37 for other Highway Traffic Act infractions. Other charges include three under the Liquor Licence Act, 19 for not having mandatory auto insurance, one suspension for blowing a warning during an alcohol breath test, another for drug offences along with two more for other provincial offences.
"The incidences of speeding, distracted and stunt driving continue to remain prevalent on our roadways resulting in a significant enforcement initiative by Essex County OPP this past Easter weekend," said Inspector Glenn Miller, Essex County OPP detachment commander. "It should be of no surprise to anyone that our efforts to reduce those factors attributable to collisions will be sustained.
He added that "arriving at your destination shouldn't be about racing the clock but arriving safely."
Inspector Miller urges all drivers to obey the rules of the road and enjoy the privilege of having a driver's licence.