Everyone wants to know that when they get behind the wheel, they are going to make it to their destination safely.
While there really is no 100 per cent guarantee of safety for anyone, there are many things that can be done to mitigate the risks.
But one of the simplest things that any driver can do to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road is quite often the one we take for granted the most. In the immortal words of Jim Morrison and the Doors, we all need to remember to “keep our eyes on the road and our hands upon the wheel.”
Three months ago, one of the most stringent pieces of distracted driving legislation in North America came into effect.
October 26, 2009 marked the beginning of a three-month period focusing on educating drivers about Ontario's new road rules for hand-held wireless communication and entertainment devices.
That three month education is now over, effective February 1st, 2010. Drivers caught using a hand-held device will face a set fine of $125 plus a victim surcharge and court fees for a total of $155. Drivers who challenge the ticket in court face fines of up to $500.
Furthermore, police continue to have the ability to lay charges for careless driving, dangerous driving or other offences where driversendanger other road users because of any distraction, including the use of hand-held and hands-free devices.
The evidence speaks for itself: a driver who uses a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash than drivers who are focused on the road. That is why safe driving requires a driver’s undivided attention.
Under the new rules, drivers are prohibited from using of hand-held wireless communication devices, such as cell phones and Blackberries; texting, dialing and e-mailing; using hand-held electronic entertainment devices, such as iPods and portable MP3 players; and viewing display screens unrelated to driving, on devices such as laptop computers or DVD players.
It is also important to note that these new rules apply whenever a motor vehicle is being driven, including when it is stopped in traffic. Drivers are prohibited from pulling off a designated 400-series highway and parking for a reason other than an emergency. If the situation is not an emergency, drivers are advised to exit the freeway at an interchange or pull into the nearest service centre. Drivers who stop on any other roadway to use their hand-held cell phones must be pulled off of the road and not impeding traffic, or lawfully parked, to use hand-held devices.
The new law does permit the use of hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece or Bluetooth device; GPS units that are integrated into the vehicle or mounted on a dashboard; hands-free use of portable MP3 players secured in or mounted to the vehicle; and make calls to 911. As well, exceptions have been made for emergency services personnel.
Moreover, some drivers in transport-related industries (e.g., school bus and taxi drivers, couriers) and public service workers (e.g., transit and highway maintenance workers) rely on the use of certain types of wireless devices and display screen technologies in the performance of day-to-day operations.
There is a three-year phase-out period until January 1, 2013 for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed.
Driving while distracted puts everyone's safety at risk. By following the most basic of driving principals, we can make our roads safer for everyone.
For or more information on what your government is doing to make Ontario roads safe, contact my Constituency Office at 416-630-0080.