Higher fines mean tough road ahead for distracted drivers in Ontario

Ontario is getting ready to enforce stiff fines of up to $1,000 this fall for distracted driving, says Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca.

Thestar.com
July 27, 2015
By Rob Ferguson

Motorists need to keep their “heads up” and not succumb to distractions as the province gets ready to enforce stiff fines of up to $1,000 this fall, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said Monday.

While police could start charging the new fines Sept. 1, the government is planning a public education to make drivers aware of the higher fines and other changes unanimously passed by the legislature in June.

“If current trends continue, fatalities from distracted driving may exceed those from drinking and driving by next year,” Del Duca warned as the Canadian Automobile Association launched its own driver awareness effort.

Here are the most important changes everyone using the roads needs to know:

FINES: Will increase significantly for distracted driving to between $300 and $1,000, along with three demerit points upon conviction. That’s up from the current $60 to $500 and no demerit points. There will also be escalating sanctions upon conviction for novice drivers. “Research suggests that a driver who uses a cellphone is four times more likely to be in a crash,” Del Duca said.

BOOZE AND DRUGS: Not only is there drunk driving, there is drugged driving. Accordingly, drug-impaired drivers will face the same penalties and sanctions as drunk drivers in terms of roadside licence suspensions of three, seven, 30 and 90 days along with seven-day vehicle impoundments and monitoring for repeat offenders. More than 45 per cent of drivers killed in Ontario were found to have drugs and/or alcohol in their system, according to the ministry of transportation.

PEDESTRIANS: To increase safety margins, drivers must wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road before proceeding at school crossings and pedestrian crosswalks. About one in five vehicle-related fatalities involve pedestrians, says the ministry. Almost half of those occur at intersections. To help improve safety, municipalities will be able to request new pedestrian crossings on low-speed and low-volume roads.

CYCLISTS: Face fines from $60 to $500 for not using required lights and reflectors, up from $20. Motorists who “door” cyclists will face fines of $300 to $1,000, about double the current level, and three demerit points, up from two at present. Drivers passing cyclists on the road will also have to keep at least one metre away, where practical, with motorists who are convicted of coming too close getting two demerit points. Cyclists will be allowed to use the paved shoulders on provincial highways - other than restricted-access highways like the 401 - instead of riding in main lanes.

TOW TRUCKS: Motorists will be required to slow down and move over when passing tow trucks with the amber lights flashing on the side of the road, just as they must when passing police and other first responders. “Tow truck drivers can face significant risk when they help motorists on the roadside of busy highways,” Del Duca said.