Police launch new traffic initiative

York Regional Police has launched a new traffic initiative called Operation Stay Focused, aimed at changing driver behaviour on local roads through education, awareness and enforcement.

The slogan for the program is "The driver's seat is no place to multi-task."

The program is aimed at educating motorists about the dangers of driving while distracted. Losing focus on the road can be a serious, even fatal, mistake. Applying makeup, eating, drinking, smoking, using electronic devices such as cell phones, or hand held devices, tending to children or pets, even adjusting controls are all ways drivers become distracted and increase the risk of a serious or fatal collision.

To enhance education and awareness, members of the police video services unit have produced five short public service announcements on the dangers of distracted driving. They will be shown on local television,

gas station video monitors and City TV during the time slot dedicated to York Regional Police on alternate Fridays. They will also be available for downloading from the York Regional Police Web site (www.police.york.on.ca). In addition, an education pamphlet will be distributed to drivers, media, schools, driving schools, car shows, drive-thru windows and cell phone companies.

Officers working out of the traffic bureau, community oriented response units and district stations will be targeting distracted drivers who are driving erratically or dangerously. Possible charges include dangerous driving, careless driving, failing to stop for a red light, failing to yield, failing to drive in a marked lane, disobeying stop signs, failing to signal lane changes, etc.

Drivers stopped for these offences will also be handed a pamphlet and spoken to about the dangers of losing focus on the road.