The easiest way to avoid penalties for distracted driving is to not use a hand-held device when you’re behind the wheel.
Ontario’s distracted driving laws apply to the use of hand-held communication/entertainment devices and certain display screens.
According to the official Government of Ontario website, anything that causes a driver to be less focused on the road constitutes as distracted driving. These include activities such as:
- Simply holding an electronic device in your hands (hand-held communication during driving is against the law)
- Using a cellular phone to talk, text, check maps or switch playlists
- Eating (there may not be a licence suspension, but the RCMP warn you could be fined or given six demerits depending on the food)
- Reading books or documents
- Typing a destination into the GPS
Distracted driving is not limited to just the the use of electronics, as most people assume. Doing any of the aforementioned activities while behind the wheel makes you guilty of distracted driving, even if you are on the highway or stopped at a red light.
What you can use however are:
- Hands-free devices (e.g. Bluetooth), but only to turn it on and off
- Mounted devices, as long as they are secured properly
These rules were enforced as of August 31, 2017, but more restrictions may have been added by then (e.g., doing makeup).
According to provincial road statistics, deaths from collisions have doubled since 2000. One person is injured in a distracted-driving collision every half hour, and drivers using their phones are four times more likely to crash. Narcity.ca
What is Distracted Driving
The RCMP defines distracted driving as “a form of impaired driving as a driver’s judgment is compromised when they are not fully focused on the road.” Forms of distracted driving may include:
- talking on a cell phone,
- texting, typing or sending images with a cell phone,
- reading,
- applying makeup,
- watching a video,
- eating or drinking,
- driving while fatigued (mentally or physically), or
- talking to passengers.
Engaging in these types of activities while driving can lead to:
- slower reaction time
- impaired judgment
- falling asleep behind the wheel
- killing or injuring yourself, your passengers and/or other people
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Penalties for Distracted Driving
The easiest way to avoid penalties for distracted driving is to not use a hand-held device when you’re behind the wheel.
It’s against the law to use hand-held communication (e.g. your phone) and electronic entertainment devices (e.g. DVD player, e-reader) while driving.
In fact, simply holding a phone or other device while driving is against the law.
You can use:
a hands-free device (e.g. Bluetooth) but only to turn it on and off
a mounted device (e.g. phone, GPS) as long as it is secure – not moving around while driving
If convicted, the penalty you face depends on the kind of licence you hold and how long you’ve been driving.