Ottawa police issue $5,400 in fines to drivers using cellphones in blitz

Red and blue lights atop an Ottawa police vehicle are seen in this undated file photo.

The Ottawa Police Service says a recent blitz in south Ottawa led to $5,400 in fines being issued to drivers using cellphones behind the wheel.

The South District traffic unit conducted the blitz last Friday, on streets such as Greenbank Road, Strandherd Drive, Woodroffe Avenue, Fallowfield Road, West Hunt Club Road, Prince of Wales Drive, Findlay Creek, Longfields Drive and Limebank Road.

Thirty-five tickets were handed out for infractions, including nine for using a handheld device, five for having no validated permit, three for driving without a licence, two for not wearing a seatbelt, and one for driving under suspension and driving without insurance. Officers also charged drivers with speeding, red light violations, failing to yield to pedestrians, unsafe turns, violations of G1 licence requirements, and document offences.

Two drivers had their licence suspended.

The Ottawa Police Service launched its new Road Safety Unit in mid-December as part of its new district model, which divides policing jurisdictions into east, west, south, and central Ottawa.

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