As you may have noticed, the OPP between Thunder Bay and Kenora have recently stepped up enforcement in regards to speed and distracted driving.  This is in response to increased complaints from the public regarding bad driving habits, distracted driving and excessive speed.  The proverbial “last straw” was a driver being pulled over for driving 27 km/h over the posted limit, watching a movie on his phone with his feet on the dashboard.  While the final list of violations and the cost of said violations is unknown, rest assured that they will include a court date, and substantial monetary penalties.

Speeding is one thing, but Ontario law requires a tractor trailer to be electronically limited to 105 km/h.  Period. Even if you are descending a hill, and your speed creeps up to 110, you can be ticketed for not having a speed limiter on your truck.  Many times drivers had complained that they are not being treated as a professional. Well, if we want to be treated as a professional, then we have to act like a professional.  We can do this by driving courteously, and professionally.  Do not pass when it’s unsafe, watch your speed, especially in towns, cities, school zones, First Nations, construction zones and any other places where the posted speed is reduced.

If you must use your phone, use a headset.   It is illegal even to touch the phone to place or answer a call. It must all be done by voice command.  Even plugging in your phone while driving can get you a ticket.  The same is true of any other electronic device. Adjusting your GPS, or searching through your MP3 player for music is illegal. Watching a movie, tv show or DVD is also prohibited.  Other issues that can get you a ticket are driving in bare feet, and not having your feet on the floor.  In the event of a collision, having your feet anywhere but the floor means increased time to apply the brakes, and if the airbag deploys, it can drive your knees back into your face causing serious injuries and quite likely death. Air bags deploy with a massive amount of force, and they can send a 300 lbs man 5 feet straight up into the air.