Ontario has passed legislation increasing fines for distracted drivers from a range of $60 – $500 up to $300 – $1,000, plus three demerit points upon conviction.
Also, novice drivers convicted of distracted driving will now face the following licence suspensions:
First conviction: 30 day suspension
Second conviction: 90 day suspension
Third conviction: licence cancellation. Driver must return to the start of Ontario’s graduated licensing program
The move marks an effort for the province to “reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on Ontario’s roads” and makes Ontario’s penalties the toughest in the country. The Ontario Provincial Police report that distracted driving is the number one killer on our roads, causing more deaths than impaired driving and speeding.
If distracted driving is found to have played a role in a collision, drivers can be charged with careless driving as well. Put the phone down to keep your rates low and the roads safe. A phone call or text is not worth becoming a statistic.
**Information derived from online sources.