Police charge driver watching videos on their phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa

An Ottawa driver watching a video while driving. They were charged with distracted driving and hit with a $615 fine, police say. (OPP/X)

An Ottawa driver is facing a steep fine for allegedly watching videos on their phone while on the highway.

Police say they stopped the driver on Highway 417 near Moodie Drive shortly after 7:30 p.m. during Saturday’s heavy rainstorm.

OPP Const. Michael Fathi says an officer was driving a “fully marked” police cruiser when they caught the driver.

“The driver was so distracted by the YouTube video they were watching, that they didn’t even see the police car,” he said in an email.

They were charged with distracted driving, which carries a $615 fine, three demerit points and a three-day driving suspension upon conviction.

Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, distracted driving includes viewing “display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video.”

“You are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth,” the Ontario government says.

“You can view GPS display screens as long as they are built into your vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted on the dashboard.”

In February, an Ottawa driver was given a $615 fine for watching TikTok while cruising down the same highway.