Good drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. Research shows that drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a collision than drivers who focus on the road. And when drivers take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds – their crash risk doubles.
Ontario’s distracted driving law
In Ontario, it’s against the law to:
- Operate hand-held communication and electronic entertainment devices while you’re driving.
- View display screens unrelated to your driving.
Any device that you do not touch, hold or manipulate while driving, other than to activate or deactivate it. For example: actions such as dialling or scrolling through contacts, or manually programming a GPS device are not allowed.
Fines in Ontario
If you break this law, you could receive:
- A fine of $225, plus a victim surcharge and court fee, for a total of $280 if settled out of court.
- A fine of up to $500 if you receive a summons or fight your ticket.
Tips to avoid distraction
There are many simple steps you can take to avoid being distracted while you drive:
- Use your cell phone only when you’re parked, or have a passenger take the call.
- Let calls go to voicemail.
- Turn off your cell phone before you start driving.
- Identify and preset your vehicle’s climate control, radio and CD player.
- Plan your route and set your GPS before you leave.
- When you’re hungry or thirsty, take a break. Don’t eat or drink while you drive.
- Avoid other distractions like reading maps, grooming activities and tending to children and pets.
Our lawyers at Harris Law have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve; we’ll even conduct our own investigation to determine who is at fault in the wake of a car accident.
