Almost 400 tickets given out in Thanksgiving weekend road blitz

_ (press release) _

(Ottawa) - From October 7-10, Ottawa Police participated in the national road safety campaign, Operation Impact.

Officers handed out 397 tickets to drivers in Ottawa, focusing on speeding, distracted driving, seatbelts and impaired driving.

“These numbers show that drivers are driving too fast and cell phone use is far too common,” said Ottawa Police Traffic Sergeant Eddy Yeoumans.

“Drivers need to change driving behaviour and make a conscious choice to drive safe every time they get behind the wheel.”

Police can’t be everywhere, so here’s what you can do to make roadways safer.

Drivers:

Make safe driving your number one priority.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, so you won’t be inclined to speed and run red lights or stop signs.

If you are running late, don’t resort to unsafe driving practices to make up time.

Texts and phone calls can wait until you are at your destination, or safely pull over and stop driving to use your phone.

Buckle up, no matter how short the distance you are driving.

Parents:

Teach children safe driving behaviour by being a safe driver yourself.

Monitor your teen’s driving, even after they get their licence.

Passengers, make your safety a priority when you get in the car:

Don’t distract the driver.

Speak up if the driver is speeding or using the phone.

Wear your seatbelt.

“We all have a role in making our roadways safer,” added Sgt. Yeoumans.