The ontario government is introducing a new mandatory threeday drivers licence suspension on a first conviction for distracted. The ontario provincial police explain the magnitude of the issue at hand. An office wont seize a driver s license at the roadside however a judge would have to order it suspended offenders driver s license only after the driver is found guilty distracted driving is the number one 1 cause of deaths in ontario. Police may also continue to charge a driver with careless driving when not paying full attention to the driving task. Mar 16, 2020 frequently asked questions about ontarios distracted driving law i. What other ways are drivers distracted if they are not using their phone. Ontario distracted driving legislation and amateur radio. Eating, grooming yourself, reaching for something or even talking to another passenger in the car can also take your attention away from the road, but these distractions wont lead to a distracted driving charge. Motorists are not permitted to use handheld communication and electronic entertainment devices when driving with the following exceptions. Ontario distracted driving legislation and amateur radio calling all ontario based amateur radio clubs and ares groups as you may well know, amateur radio operators in ontario are enjoying a timelimited exemption under the highway traffic acts distracted driving regulations, allowing us the use of mobile 2way communications apparatus until january 1, 2018. In particular, ontario now uses a 3tier penalty system for distracted driving. Its now the law the use of handheld cell phones and other wireless devices while driving is prohibited in ontario. Motorists must only use wireless devices in a handsfree manner. The personal injury law firm of siegfried and jensen conducted an analysis to understand how states nationwide have implemented laws to regulate distracted driving to.
In ontario, holding your mobile device, even if youre not looking at it, while operating your vehicle can be interpreted as distracted driving. Distracted driving penalties increase under new ontario law this summer ontario has finally turned up the heat on distracting driving with major increases in fines and demerit points. Changes to distracted driving and careless driving in ontario are coming. This facebook post appears to be referencing the new distracted driving laws implemented in ontario, canada, at the start of 2019, but message still managed to fudge a few details of that law. Ontario targets distracted driving with strict new law. The government of ontario has posted a list of activities that counts as distracted driving and it includes anything from simply holding an electronic device in ones hand to eating while behind the wheel. Stiff new penalties for distracted, impaired driving in ontario begin on jan.
Ontario is enacting legislation that increases the cost of carelessness in hopes of also increasing safer driving practices. Distracted driving laws in ontario what is distracted driving. Ontarios distracted driving legislation applies to handheld wireless communications and electronic entertainment devices. New distracted driving laws to take effect next week the. The proposal seeks to increase the fines and penalties associated with distracted driving. Ontario new distracted driving laws came into effect january 1, 2019. There are plenty of ways people can get distracted while driving. Ontarios new distracted driving law to start in 2019.
Driving a passenger vehicle is both a privilege and a responsibility. For novice drivers with a g1 or g2, you could face the same fines, but instead of demerit points youll receive a license suspension. First, convictions under the distracted driving rules will result in the driver having his or her license suspended for up to five years. Dec 29, 2018 stiff new penalties for distracted, impaired driving in ontario begin on jan. Xcopper will be covering the topic of recent changes to ontario driving legislation over a fourpart blog series. Distracted driving legislation caa south central ontario. You are considered a distracted driver if you do any of the following behind the wheel.
Teens and young people under 35 are the most frequent users of cell phones while driving. Distracted driving is driving while performing any activity which could potentially distract a driver from the primary task of operating a vehicle. An office wont seize a drivers license at the roadside however a judge would have to order it suspended offenders drivers license only after the driver is found guilty distracted driving is the number one 1 cause of deaths in ontario. New distracted driving rules in ontario as of january 1 on january 1, 2019, the existing fines and penalties for distracted drivers in ontario are increasing.
In ontario, deaths from collisions caused by distracted driving have doubled since 2000. For drivers in toronto, for example, ontario responded with pretty hefty distracted driving rules. In ontario, deaths from distracted driving have doubled since 2000. The ontario highway traffic act section on distracted driving only refers to handheld devices. The new distracted driving law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using handheld cell phones and other handheld communications and entertainment devices. Theres new distracted driving laws that will be enforced as of january 1 2019 as a part of bill 174 cannabis, smokefree ontario and road safety statute law amendment act. Added on july 29, 2019 the news wheel canada, distracted driving, driving laws, ontario, safe driving, texting and driving. Road safety advocates are welcoming new distracted driver penalties which come into effect at. Ontario has pretty clear laws regarding distracted driving. When the driver is lawfully parked or has safely pulled off the roadway and is not impeding traffic. As a result, all ten provinces and two of the three territories in canada have some form of cell phonedistracted driving legislation in place. Distracted driving laws in canada distracted driving is a national issue.
Distracted driving on the other hand is defined and covered under provincial legislation. Ontario approves tougher distracted driving penalties the star. Distracted driving fines and penalties are increasing. Fines for distracted driving in ontario are now among the highest in canada. This is how much fines are under ontarios new distracted.
Ontario s distracted driving law has been updated with more severe penalties for distracted driving because the number of distracted driving charges rose 21% between 2016 and 2017 in key areas, like york. Distracted driving law takes effect today desjardins insurance. In ontario, you can be penalised and heavily for distracted driving. Changes to distracted driving and careless driving in ontario. Richard ferch, ve3ki rac regulatory affairs officer. Ontario proposes new distracted driving laws ontario, following the new drugimpaired driver rules, has announced new distracted driving laws. Jun 02, 2015 ontario approves tougher distracted driving penalties. It is against the law to use any handheld device or electronic entertainment device such as an ereader while driving. This january in ontario the penalty for distracted driving will include automatic 3 day licence suspensions. Ontarios new driving laws will mean automatic suspension. Stiffer fines and longterm consequences are coming for distracted drivers in ontario in 2019. Most drivers caught, talking, texting, dialing or emailing on a handheld device will be fined up to. Tougher penalties for texting and driving in ontario start.
As a result, all 10 provinces in canada have some form of cell phone distracted driving legislation in place. These regulations are made and enforced by provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. The changes reflect mobile technologys impact on our roads. Distracted driving is no longer limited to just texting and making phone calls. A section of the ontario cannabis legislation, which was passed in 2017, is expected to affect drivers in the province starting on january 1. Distractions can come from many sources, above and beyond mobile phones.
Exemption for certain evaluation and monitoring functions. Ontarios distracted driving laws apply to the use of handheld communicationentertainment devices and certain display screens. You will be charged for distracted driving if you are even touching. Distracted driving laws i n ontario the law in ontario is very strict, and requires drivers to be free from any form of distraction while operating a vehicle. In ontario one person is injured in a distracteddriving collision every half hour. Fines for firsttime offenders will more than double from the.
Jan 01, 2020 the year 2020 will bring a number of new laws and rules that canadians should be aware of, including changes to cannabis and vaping regulations in some provinces. Oct 21, 2009 ontario joins more than 50 countries worldwide and a growing number of north american jurisdictions that have similar distracted driving legislation including quebec, nova scotia, newfoundland and labrador, california and new york. Guide to distracted driving in ontario the canada car. New ontario distracted driving laws for 2020 6teen tv. Tektonic managed services, toronto it support company. Ontario s new distracted driving law to start in 2019. Ontario proposes new distracted driving laws isure. Ontario ramps up penalties for distracted driving toronto sun. In ontario, its illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using cell phones and other handheld communication and entertainment devices while operating. Ontario distracted driving legislation canada safety council.
If convicted of distracted driving, a novice driver subject. Under ontario law, distracted driving refers specifically to using handheld electronic devices behind the wheel. Minister of transportation steven del duca and minister of tourism, culture and sport eleanor mcmahon announced plans to introduce new legislation in the fall that would help protect pedestrians and cyclists and reduce the number of people killed or injured by impaired, distracted and dangerous drivers. In addition to using a phone, which is explicitly prohibited, distracted driving could include reading a paper map, adjusting the stereo, eating or drinking, or even talking to passengers.
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many canadian radio amateurs. Guards appointed under the public works protection act. Stiff new penalties for distracted, impaired driving in. The opp fully supports this new legislation and recognizes it as an important enhanced deterrent aimed at changing unsafe driver. What are ontarios new careless and distracted driving laws. Punishments would be dramatically increased for repeat offenders. New distracted driving legislation in ontario part 1 x.
Find out the risks of distracted driving, which devices you can and cant use and the penalties you could incur. Jun 08, 2018 ontario provincial police say distracted driving continues to be the no. The canadian council of motor transport administrators defines distracted driving as the diversion of attention from driving, as a result of the driver focusing on a nondriving object, activity, event, or person. Are there any exemptions to ontarios distracted driving law. Distracted and careless drivers will soon face even more stringent penalties. Ontario plans on introducing tougher distracted driving. New distracted driving rules in ontario as of january 1.
Distracted driving in the news again ontario toronto. Ontario will soon be rolling out new driving laws that will apply stricter punishments on individuals caught driving while distracted. Learn more about ontario distracted driving laws, fines and suspensions, and how to get help if youve been in an accident. As the existing fines seem to have done little to deter folks from using their phone while driving, the new law comes with some serious teeth that grow. Ontarios tough distracted driving rules to take effect. Ontarios tough distracted driving rules to take effect jan. Police may also continue to charge a driver with careless driving when not paying.
In ontario one person is injured in a distracted driving collision every half hour. Ontarios new distracted driving laws to take effect jan. While eating is not a specific part of most provinces distracted driving law, some regions of canadasuch as ontariohave enacted stricter penalties for snacking while in the drivers seat. Distracted driving ticket issued in tim hortons drivethru duration. Distracted driving ministry of transportation ontario. A driver using a phone is four times more likely to crash. New ontario distracted driving laws for 2020 youtube.
No longer bound by a chauffeur chaperone, the drivers seat is an open invitation to opportunity. We will take a look at what rules are changing, what fines are increasing, and why these changes are being implemented. Below is a synopsis of handheld cell phone legislation in canada. When driving, you are not permitted to use handheld communication and entertainment devices or view display screens unrelated to the driving task, with the following exceptions. Distracted driving is one of the biggest issues on ontario roadways today. When it comes to distracted driving, state laws are not. Distracted driving has a broad definition and can mean anything from text messaging or making that phone call while you drive, to doing so while stopped at a stoplight. As a result, all ten provinces and two of the three territories in canada have some form of cell phone distracted driving legislation in place. It has surpassed impaired driving as the number one killer on the roads, and it is an issue that drivers need to take more seriously. Thats why there are driving laws in place that penalize people who are found to be driving while distracted. In ontario, deaths from distracted driving have doubled since 2000, and it is illegal to use a cellphone or any other handheld wireless. Ontario, following the new drugimpaired driver rules, has announced new distracted driving laws. Drivers convicted of distracted driving under the new laws will be punished with a licence suspension, a hefty fine and demerit points.
Under the law, drivers may use handsfree devices or devices such as a cell phone or gps device provided that they are securely mounted. Mar 06, 2020 in this blog post, we have compiled some distracted driving facts to encourage all drivers to eliminate risky behavior. Toronto police say that in 2018, 1116 people were arrested for impaired driving related offences. In theory, it can be anything that could take a driver s eyes off the road, or mental concentration away from driving. The truth about texting and driving in ontario and canada. Ontario joins more than 50 countries worldwide and a growing number of north american jurisdictions that have similar distracted driving legislation including quebec, nova scotia, newfoundland and labrador, california and new york. New offences also include the creation of careless driving causing bodily harm by the cannabis, smokefree ontario and road safety statute law amendment act in 2018. Heres what counts as distracted driving under ontarios. Learn about distracted driving, how you can avoid it, and what is happening in canada to prevent distraction on our roads. Ontarios distracted driving laws apply to the use of handheld communication entertainment devices and certain display screens. New distracted driving laws in ontario tektonic managed. In 20016 more fatal accidents were caused by distracted drivers than any other factor. The fines for distracted driving would increase from.
Transport canada distracted driving puts canadian road users at risk. The fight against distracted driving took a better turn earlier this summer with the introduction of fines of. New ontario distracted driving laws for 2019 explained. Ontarios new distracted driving law to start in 2019 cbc news. As a result, all 10 provinces in canada have some form of cell phonedistracted driving legislation in place. New ontario laws crack down on distracted driving preszler law. Ontarios new driving laws will mean automatic suspension of drivers licences for distracted driving anchorman canada episode for 11. Jan 30, 2018 new ontario bylaws will mean automatic drivers licence suspension for convicted distracted drivers in ontario are soon to take effect after receiving royal assent. People may not think of it in the same category as drunk driving but its actually. Ontarios new driving laws will mean automatic suspension of. A section of the ontario cannabis legislation, which was passed in 2017, is expected to affect drivers in the province starting on january 1, 2019, according to the ministry of transportation mto.
Those caught distracted driving will face much harsher punishments than previous years from skyrocketing fines, jackedup demerit fines and licence suspensions are all coming soon for those convicted of distracted. Distracted driving is cited as a causal factor in 30 to 50 percent of traffic collisions in ontario, but is. Understanding ontarios new 2019 distracted driving laws. Distracted driving changes made under the ontario cannabis legislation will come into effect on january 1, 2019. Ontario is enacting legislation that increases the cost of carelessness in hopes of. To a teenager eagerly awaiting their turn with the car keys, driving symbolizes freedom. Risks of distracted driving good drivers keep their hands on. As of january 1st, 2019 penalties for distracted driving in ontario are increasing. Police sources have confirmed that canadas new driving laws, which received royal assent earlier this year, will officially take effect in every province on feb.
The new laws for distracted driving in ontario are set to take effect on jan. Distracted driving, particularly the use of handheld devices while driving, has become such a huge problem that the ontario government is proposing new laws. Guide to distracted driving in ontario the canada car buying guide. Jan 16, 2020 if each driver were to do their part and be more dedicated to avoiding driving while distracted, countless accidents, injuries, and deaths could be prevented on canadian roads. Ontario and manitoba heavily ramping up distracted driving. Dec 28, 2018 the penalties for texting and driving are about to get more real. That means whats described as distracted driving in one province, can be different in another province. Basic distracted driving offenses would come with license suspensions of three days first offense, seven days second and then 30 days subsequent convictions. A viral story lacked context about the implementation of a new driving law in province of ontario. If you want to make sure you avoid breaking the law. Ontario is also refining its distracted driving penalties. This is how much fines are under ontario s new distracted driving laws. In ontario, it is illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using handheld cell phones and other handheld communications and entertainment devices.
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