New Ontario Distracted Driving Laws Come In Effect On September 1

New Road Rules Mean That Distracted Driving Will Cost You Dearly!

New rules have taken effect that greatly increase penalties for failing to give your undivided attention to the road. Ontario drivers who are caught with their eyes off the road for any reason will face not only fines, but demerit points as well. Last year the fines for distracted driving were increased, but cities in Ontario still saw a considerable number of drivers ticketed for the offence – London drivers alone saw close to 2,000 tickets issued. As such these new measures have been added to further deter unsafe driving habits.

New penalties for distracted driving include:

• Drivers caught on their cellphones can face up to a $490 fine and three demerit points.
• Novice drivers caught texting and driving can be suspended for 30 days or more.

Keep the following recommendations in mind to avoid being penalized during your next commute:

• Turn off your cellphone entirely during transit.
• Keep your cellphone in the glove compartment.
• Configure your cellphone for hands-free use, via bluetooth with your car or otherwise (remember, any hand-held use of a device while operating your car counts as distracted driving, even if you’re just dialling a number).

The new road rules also include measures to further protect cyclists, school buses, and emergency vehicles. For full information on the Ministry Of Transportations’ definitions and guidelines for distracted driving, visit their website.

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