One Person Killed Every 30 Minutes - Distracted Driving

July 04, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Province of Ontario has released a very forthright new campaign about distracted driving. It's one in which we see the young person glance at their phone and then we are taken to their future as a disabled wheelchair bound young person.

The ad is shocking, and the province hopes that it will inspire people to put their phones down when they are driving.

• Every 30 minutes 1 person is injured due to distracted driving
• 1/3 of all collisions are due to distracted driving
• Texting, talking, typing, selecting a song, looking at a map, are all times when your eyes aren’t on the road.
• Glancing down even for a few seconds means you can travel hundreds of metres without watching the road.
• You are four times more likely to crash your car if you are distracted
• Eating, reading, and typing are all distractions as well
• Programming or looking at your GPS is a distraction
• Reading the paper is a distraction

It’s illegal in Ontario to use hand-held communication and electronic devices.  This includes just holding onto one. Fines vary depending on your licence and how long you’ve been driving, but here is a rundown:

1. Drivers with A to G licences

If you have an A, B, C, D, E, F and/or G licence, you’ll face bigger penalties when convicted of distracted driving:

• a fine of $490, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
• a fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose three demerit points

1. Novice drivers

If you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, and are convicted of distracted driving, you’ll face the same fines as drivers with A to G licences. But you won’t receive any demerit points.

Instead of demerit points you’ll face:

• a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction
• a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction
• cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction
  • to get your licence back you’d have to redo the GLS program

You can also be charged with Careless driving if you endanger other people due to the distraction whether it’s hands free or not. If you are convicted of careless driving, you may receive:

• six demerit points
• fines up to $2,000 and/or
• a jail term of six months
• a licence suspension of up to two years

You may be charged with dangerous driving depending on the offence – a criminal code offence that carries heavier penalties, including jail terms of up to 10 years for causing bodily harm or up to 14 years for causing death.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.