Ontario drivers are facing harsher penalties for distracted driving starting jan. The length of suspension and fine will increase for repeat offenders. Ontarios new distracted driving law to start in 2019 cbc news. Changes to distracted driving and careless driving in ontario. Drivers engaged in the following distractions are more likely to be in a crash or near. If you want to make sure you avoid breaking the law. For drivers in toronto, for example, ontario responded with pretty hefty distracted driving rules. If each driver were to do their part and be more dedicated to avoiding driving while distracted, countless accidents, injuries, and deaths could be. Ontario has pretty clear laws regarding distracted driving.
Under the law, drivers may use handsfree devices or devices such as a cell phone or gps device provided that they are securely mounted. In billings, butte, bozeman, columbia falls, and great falls, helena, and whitefish, montana, text messaging and. Ontario approves tougher distracted driving penalties. Charles, texting while driving is illegal for all drivers. The new law will help create safe driving habits, reduce driver distraction, and help keep drivers and pedestrians safe. First, convictions under the distracted driving rules will result in the driver having his or her license suspended for up to five years. Distracted driving laws in ontario explained jasmine. While your resolutions for the new year may include eating healthier and being more active, the new ontario distracted driving laws that have come into effect today may leave you adding drive. New distracted driving laws in ontario you better read. Ontario distracted driving penalties get harsher as 2019. As a result, all 10 provinces in canada have some form of cell phonedistracted driving legislation in place. As part of a fiveyear pilot project, the ontario government will let municipalities decide whether to allow escooters on their roads.
Ontarios new distracted driving laws to take effect jan. Studies show that a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash than a driver focused on the road. Ontarios new driving laws will mean automatic suspension of drivers licences for distracted driving anchorman canada episode for 11. 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 and traffic laws while distracted driving is an umbrella term covering many behaviors, almost all states have enacted laws against it. Distracted driving in ontario lerners personal injury. Ontario will soon be rolling out new driving laws that will apply stricter punishments on individuals caught driving while distracted. Most drivers caught, talking, texting, dialing or emailing on a handheld device will be fined up to. Spread the word at your school or workplace about the dangers of distracted driving. Chief bill blair, toronto police service we know that talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous and ontarios doctors commend the provincial government for taking steps to help make our roads safer.
Aimed at increasing or creating new punishments for distracted driving on ontario roads. Although distracted driving laws existed in ontario for over a decade, regulators are tweaking some parts of the law. Standardized field sobriety test if a police officer suspects that a driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol, the officer may carry out a roadside standardized field sobriety test. Guide to distracted driving in ontario the canada car. Ontarios new distracted driving law to start in 2019 a section of the ontario cannabis legislation, which was passed in 2017, is expected to affect drivers in the province starting on january 1. As a result, all ten provinces and two of the three territories in canada have some form of cell phonedistracted driving legislation in place.
Changes to distracted driving and careless driving in ontario are coming. In addition to banning handheld communication devices, british columbia and ontario also ban the use of handheld electronic. Holding an electronic device like a smartphone, ipad, tablet, ipod, or another device. 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. In fact, anything that causes a driver to be less focused on the road is a distraction to driving. The law in ontario is very strict, and requires drivers to be free from any form of distraction while operating a vehicle.
Thats why there are driving laws in place that penalize people who are found to be driving while distracted. Find out the risks of distracted driving, which devices you can and cant use and the penalties you could incur. Guide to distracted driving in ontario the canada car buying guide. States take a variety of approaches on punishing distracted driving, ranging from general to specific bans on distractions.
Stiffer fines and longterm consequences are coming for distracted drivers in ontario in 2019. 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. New ontario distracted driving laws for 2019 explained. Understanding ontarios new 2019 distracted driving laws. New distracted driving laws in ontario fuelled networks. Ontario student charged with distracted driving for. Penalties rise incremental for second and third offences. Stiff new penalties for distracted, impaired driving in. However, bob nichols, spokesperson for ontario ministry of transportation has mentioned that a driver who eats while driving may get a ticket as it endangers the safety of other road users. Under ontario law, distracted driving refers specifically to using handheld electronic devices behind the wheel.
Dialing and texting carry the highest degree of risk of all cell phonerelated activities. Ontarios distracted driving laws apply to the use of handheld communication entertainment devices and certain display screens. 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. The list of distractions according to ontarios ministry of transportation include the following activities. Here are all the new strict driving laws in ontario that. Heres what counts as distracted driving under ontarios. 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. 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. 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. The provincial government introduced the new rules in a bid to improve road safety.
A new law in ontario has been implemented that means anyone convicted of distracted driving will be punished with an automatic suspension of their driver s licence as well as a significant fine. When the driver is lawfully parked or has safely pulled off the roadway and is not impeding traffic. Well, the distracted driving law in ontario has banned the use of handheld devices since october 2009. Ontario has police officers who are trained to detect impaired drivers and remove them from the road. Heres what counts as distracted driving under ontario s new driving laws. Here are a list of 3 things that you should understand about ontarios new distracted driving laws. Texting is illegal for drivers under the age of 21. Distracted driving is one of the biggest issues on ontario roadways today. Ontarios laws alert drivers to the dangers associated. Are there any exemptions to ontarios distracted driving law. Impaired driving ministry of transportation of ontario. Drivers convicted of distracted driving under the new laws will be punished with a licence suspension, a hefty fine and demerit points.
Since the ban on handheld devices became ontario law, the ontario provincial police have issued more than 3,300 warnings to drivers. One of those new laws is ontarios new distracted driving laws. But what exactly are the rules in ontario surrounding distracted driving. 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.
Remind your teen driver that in states with graduated driver licensing gdl, a violation of distracteddriving laws could mean a delayed or suspended license. Risks of distracted driving good drivers keep their hands on. Ontario proposes new distracted driving laws isure. Outdated browsers lack safety features that keep your information secure, and they can also be slow.
New distracted driving laws in ontario tektonic managed. Operating escooters is currently only allowed on private. New ontario driving law means automatic suspension of. Distracted driving motor vehicle safety cdc injury center. Ontarios new distracted driving law to start in 2019 cbc. Distracted driving has been an increasing concern in recent years, and ontario.
In ontario, deaths from distracted driving have doubled since 2000, and it is illegal to use a cellphone or any other handheld wireless. Below is a synopsis of handheld cell phone legislation in canada. Text messaging while driving is prohibited in missoula. Many jurisdictions mark the start of the new year with new laws.
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