Increased fines for drivers

NRU
March 19, 2014

The Ministry of Transportation introduced new legislation March 17 aimed at curbing distracted drivers in Ontario. If passed, the proposed Keeping Ontario’s Roads Safe Act and amendments to the Highway Traffic Act would raise fines to a range of $300 and $1,000 (compared to between $60 and $500 currently) and penalize drivers three demerit points for distracted driving, such as use of any hand-held device while operating a vehicle.

The proposed legislation would require drivers to yield to pedestrians at school and pedestrian crossings and permit cyclists to ride on paved shoulders, with a goal of improving cyclist and pedestrian safety.