The Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse-De Blainville is participating with all of Quebec’s police services and in collaboration with the road controllers of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), in an awareness campaign to educate drivers about the dangers related to distracted driving and intervene with distracted users. Many police operations and awareness-raising activities were carried out as part of Opération nationale concertée Distraction (ONC) 2022, which took place from November 11 to 17.
Deployed under the theme “At the wheel, think about driving”, the ONC Distraction 2022 aimed to remind us that driving is a complex task that requires our full attention. In fact, distraction, whether caused by the use of an electronic device, by wearing headphones, by an object or animal that obstructs or hinders driving, or by external concerns, reduces the attention and concentration of the driver and increases the risk of being involved in a collision. This problematic behavior remains one of the main causes of fatal collisions or the ones resulting serious injuries in Quebec.
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During the period covered by this ONC, the police services carried out nearly 1,200 operations and issued approximately 2,500 tickets, including nearly a thousand just for using cell phones. In addition to these interventions, hundreds of prevention pamphlets were distributed during various activities carried out with partners. Many posts on social media have also helped raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
For its part, the SAAQ conducted an awareness campaign focused on entertainment until December 4. Through this campaign, the SAAQ wishes to make drivers aware that they can all be affected by distracted driving, because its sources are multiple, including cognitive distraction. When our head is elsewhere, we are in our thoughts, preoccupied, or disturbed by anything, our brain must inevitably eliminate information that could prove essential to driving. Thus, when we are distracted, it is difficult, if not impossible, to react so quickly to an unforeseen situation.
