Charges were laid against a driver in Ottawa after regional police said he was watching the TikTok app on his phone while operating a vehicle.

Ontario provincial police said officers were conducting RIDE checks in the city on Friday night when they arrested the driver.

The driver was charged with using his mobile phone while driving, which carries a penalty of a $615 fine, three demerit points, and a three-day license suspension upon conviction.

Ontario police warn drivers about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving.

The police also said that 18 drivers were charged with distracted driving in Eastern Ontario on Saturday for filming a scene of a major accident on Highway 401.

A 2023 report stated that fatalities related to distracted driving in Ontario rose by 36 percent over two years. In total, it was found that 18 percent of fatal collisions were due to distracted drivers.

The report also stated that distracted driving is the second leading cause of traffic fatalities in Canada.