The Ontario Government banned the use of a handheld devices while driving back in April of 2009. If you’re caught talking, emailing, texting, surfing the web, or even holding your device while driving you could face a $155 fine. This charge will be changing today — March 18th — as it’ll increase to $280.
Last October the government was considering implementing harsher penalties than would possibly see an increased fine, demerit points, or possibly a licence suspension. Apparently the new legislation has been proposed and will see those caught distracted driving to be penalized with three demerit points, plus a maximum fine could be imposed by a judge and rise upward to $1,000.
Transportation Minister Glen Murray said “This legislation would keep people who use our roads safer — drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. This is an all-party bill and I hope it will quickly gain the confidence of this house.”
A couple weeks back the OPP declared that distracted driving is the “#1 killer on roads” and saw 78 people die from distracted driving related collisions in 2013, up 27% from 2012.
Source: The Record
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