Police Express Concern over Public Postings on Social Media
CHATHAM, ON – The temptation to post on social media is very strong. Accident scenes are one where the Ontario Provincial Police are urging the public to think before posting.
On July 30, 2017 around 4:40 p.m., Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Chatham-Kent Fire Service, and Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services (EMS), responded to a six vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Dillon Road.
A westbound Tractor Trailer collided with five vehicles which were stopped on the highway due to a separate motor vehicle collision. One of the vehicles involved was a Chevrolet Sierra pick-up truck carrying four passengers. As a result of the collision, two passengers traveling in the pick-up were pronounced dead at the scene.
While on scene, Police observed motorists using their cellular phones to take pictures and video. One motorist even stated he was live streaming the collision scene. All of this was being done before Police were able to confirm who was inside the vehicle and make arrangements for notifying the next of kin.
The OPP are asking you to please think before you post. How would you like to find out through social media that your loved one was involved in a motor vehicle collision?
Often social media posts can run days to hours ahead of regular media, and that is part of why the concern over fatal accidents especially.
OPP are asking motorists, “Don’t rubberneck if there’s an incident on the road. Resist the urge to look when passing a collision; not only does rubbernecking slow traffic further but it could also result in you causing another collision”.
The OPP would like to remind drivers who use their cellphones for taking photos at collision scenes that they could be charged with distracted driving. The set fine for Distracted Driving is $490 which includes a victim surcharge and a court fee, along with 3 demerit points.
Visit http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/distracted-driving-faq.shtml for more information on Distracted Driving.
