O.P.P. lay charges for using cell phones while driving

News Release
O.P.P.

Rainy River District OPP participated in the provincial wide Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign between February 13 - 19, 2012. Within this time frame, officers stopped and charged 8 drivers for driving while using a cell phone or device capable of texting while driving. The resulting fine was $155.00.
Officers recognize that many drivers are continuing to drive while distracted. The police would like to remind the public of the dangers and risk posed to others while a driver is talking on a phone or texting while operating a vehicle. There are no excuses and no exceptions, OPP will continue to enforce the laws pertaining to distracted driving. We ask you to make the safe choice, put the phones away and JUST DRIVE.

On Friday February 17, 2012 shortly after 9:00 pm, OPP responded to a single motor vehicle collision involving three people on Highway 11 near Shortreed Road in Watten Township. Fort Frances Fire Rescue and Watten Fire Department attended the scene to extricate two occupants. Fort Frances ambulance tended to all three occupants and transported them to LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

One occupant remains in hospital with serious non-life threatening injuries, a second occupant received serious non-life threatening injuries and was released from hospital a few days later. The third occupant received minor injuries and was released. The collision remains under police investigation.