Ottawa

Woman in texting and driving video charged by Ottawa police

A woman seen texting and driving in a video caught on a motorcyclist's helmet camera last week is facing careless and distracted driving charges.

Motorcyclist who shot video and showed it to authorities won't be charged, police say

Motorcyclist Erik Hanna captured a woman using a cellphone while driving in Ottawa last Friday. Thursday, Ottawa police announce she is facing careless driving and distracted driving charges. (Submitted by Erik Hanna)

A woman seen texting and driving in a video caught on a motorcyclist's helmet camera last week has been charged with careless and distracted driving.

The woman was identified and surrendered herself to police on Thursday.

She was also charged with failure to notify the proper people of a change of address, police said in a tweet.

Motorcyclist Erik Hanna told CBC News earlier this week he started filming from a camera mounted on his helmet after seeing a woman texting while stopped in her SUV at a west Ottawa stop light on Friday.

The video, later posted online, shows a woman looking at her phone while stopped as Hanna knocks on her window.

She briefly looks up then goes back to her phone before the light changes, and the SUV makes a close pass in front of him.

Hanna then follows the SUV until the woman finally pulls over and the two exchange words before the SUV pulls away again.

Police said earlier this week Hanna could face charges for his lane changes as he followed the SUV, but on Thursday said their investigation is done and he won't be charged.