"That Text or Call Could End It All"

Toronto Police Service News Release

Media advisory, Monday, February 10, 2014, 6 a.m. - 11 a.m., Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Distracted Driving Campaign kick-off, "That Text or Call Could End It All"

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 7:00 PM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

On Monday, February 10, 2014, outside the Merto Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., the Toronto Police Service will launch "That Text or Call Could End It All," safety campaign.

This safety campaign will begin on Monday, February 10, 2014, and conclude on Sunday, February 16, 2014.

This one-week initiative will highlight all dangerous activities associated with drivers who talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held communication and entertainment devices. This campaign will incorporate the use of a hearse and stealth police vehicles.

All police officers will be paying attention to those drivers who choose to drive while distracted. Distracted driving is any action that a driver engages in that takes their focus away from the safe operation of their vehicle which includes, but is not limited to, the use of hand-held communication and entertainment devices. Distracted drivers are a safety risk to themselves and other road-users. The Toronto Police Service is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone using the roads in and around our city.

The use of hand-held communication and entertainment devices while driving is known to distract drivers from driving safely. Legislation is in place which has created specific offences for this driving behaviour.

Since 2011 the Toronto Police Service has laid over 55,000 charges for offences related to distracted driving.

Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services