THUNDER BAY— It was an expensive weekend for some motorists in the Thunder Bay area.
The local detachment of the OPP conducted a distracted driving campaign, and nabbed nine people for using a hand-held communication device while behind the wheel.
A first distracted driving offence in Ontario carries a fine of $615, three demerit points and a licence suspension for three days.
If a ticket is challenged in court and upheld, the fine goes to $1,000 for a first-time offender.
The penalties increase for each subsequent conviction.
The weekend blitz also caught a number of other drivers for various offences, including driving with an open container of liquor in the vehicle, failure to stop for a red light, and making an improper turn.
OPP issued a total of 37 provincial offence notices.
