Distracted driving is the number one killer on Ontario highways right now and it is not even close.
Distracted Driving is number one killer on Ontario Highways and it is not even close.
Recent statistics show that fatal accidents are twice more likely to be caused by distracted drivers, than impaired drivers. Sergeant Dave Rektor tells Heart FM one of the hardest things an officer has to do is tell a family their loved has died in a preventable accident.
"Well it's heartbreaking for frontline officers and I've been there myself many times, when you have to go to the door and notify somebody, that somebody they love has been killed as a result of a preventable driving behaviour on another persons part. It's extremely upsetting, there are no words to express how profoundly sad officers are when they have to break that news to people but it is compounded 10 fold when it is the result of somebody's careless actions and distracted driving is a preventable careless action that drivers unfortunately still partake in."
OPP in Oxford and across the Province will be targeting distracted drivers this long weekend. Rektor says unfortunately people still don't see distracted driving in the same light as impaired driving.
"We have a long ways to go, unfortunately some drivers still think it's socially acceptable to text and drive or talk on the phone while their driving, we need to get the message home that their behaviour is killing people and putting other people at risk. The OPP is encouraging passengers to take on a more active role, for instance being a designated texter for a driver and speak up, if they see a driver reaching for their cell phone to tell them to stop it and put the phone down or give it to me and I'll deal with it."
Oxford OPP Remind Motorists to Be Safe
Motorcyclists Expected for February Friday the 13th
Interview with the Warden - February 12th, 2026
SWPH Issues Cold Weather Alert
New Video Series Coming to Oxford County
Police Take One into Custody
Oxford OPP Briefs - Feb. 11th, 2026
Registration Open for BBBS Trivia Nite
Theatre Tillsonburg Presents: Hilda's Yard
National 211 Day in Oxford County
Charges Laid After Break-and-Enter in Norwich
OCF Announces Grant Funding
Public Information Centre for Devonshire Ave Resconstruction
UPDATE: Ottawa Denies Tax Relief Request for CAMI Employees
WFD Launches New Public Awareness Campaign
News Poll: Winter Olympic Sports 2026
PJHL Recap - Feb 6th to Feb 8th
Snowmobile Safety Tips from Oxford OPP
Seattle Seahawks Win Super Bowl LX
Extreme Cold Continues in Oxford
Comments
Add a comment