‘Spotter vehicle’ helps police nab 21 people for distracted driving on Ottawa highway

Ontario Provincial Police say a "spotter vehicle" helped police catch distracted drivers on Hwy. 417. (OPP/X)

A “spotter vehicle” helped Ontario Provincial Police nab 21 drivers using a handheld device while driving on Highway 417.

The OPP says officers targeted distracted driving along the busy highway through Ottawa on Thursday.

“Using a spotter vehicle to find violations, OPP laid a total of 35 charges, including 21 for distracted driving,” OPP Const. Michael Fathi said on X.

The fine for using a handheld device while driving is $615, three demerit points and a three-day driving suspension upon conviction.

Fathi says the traffic safety initiative also led to an impaired driving by drugs charge for a driver and police catching “multiple suspended drivers and a vehicle operating with no insurance.”

The fine for operating a vehicle without insurance is a minimum $5,000, while the fine for driving while under suspension is a minimum $2,000.