IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! Sep 30, 2009 11:25 AM (TORONTO STAR) TESS KALINOWSKI TRANSPORTATION REPORTER Ontario's new rules prohibiting cellphone use while driving will go into effect Oct. 26, the government announced. But it will be Feb. 1 before drivers will be fined up to $500 for chatting, dialing, texting or emailing on hand-held devices. A three-month education period will preceed the enforcement, according to a government release issued Wednesday. Drivers are four times more likely to crash if they're using a cellphone and dialing and texting is even more dangerous. "It is not safe to be texting, emailing or dialing a phone when you are driving a vehicle. Now it is also illegal," said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley in a news release. Emergency services workers, including police, paramedics and firefighters will be exempt from the hand-held ban and drivers will be allowed to use their hand-held phones to call 911. People under 35 are most guilty of using their phones and BlackBerries while driving. Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador already have distracted driving legislation. "This is probably the best piece of legislation to deal with this issue in the country," said Brian Patterson, head of the Ontario Safety League.
that is an impossible ban, how many will the police really "enforce" it and fine people? think of the delivery jobs out there, all req the use of cellphone while driving; plus didn't all the phones from Rogers/Fido came with a wired handsfree option? why aren't people using it?
lol.. they won't really enforce it i bet.. I see a lot of people using their phone while driving still in california, even though you're required to use a handfree device.. but no one is using it..
But if the police did enforce it, its would be quite a revenue raising method but wow Australia had it against road rules a while back thats interesting how its taken so long for Canada to do the same thing.
Holland had this a long time ago as well and they do enforce it! Believe me, the Dutch cops are quite anal when it comes to these small things. Probably because fines mean more income for the police force. This is similar to driving without a seat belt, if you get caught you will get a fine. As simple as that.
I heard a research study shows that even using "hands free" using blue tooth can still be very distracting... But w/e I'll learn my lesson when I get caught -_-
I'm still doing it. In morning traffic, sometimes with a manual transmission. If you're in the middle lane of a jam-packed highway, I don't think they give a shit and a half. Same with speeding, in the city core of Montreal, highways are limited to 70km/h and there are speed cameras. Yet, no one slows down. 1. The camera only takes a picture, so if there are 3 cars passing at 100km/h, there isn't enough proof to accuse you. 2. Even if you speed in front of the highway patrol, they won't bother chasing you unless you are exceeding the speed of +50km/h of the speed limit. +50 is 12 pts and 925$ fine + admin fees. Point is, bad drivers will always be bad drivers. The next move will be: TWO HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AT 2 o'clock and at 10 o'clock position. It's simply pointless.
Talk 'n' drive fines coming in 4 months UPDATE ----- Oct 01, 2009 04:30 AM (Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/703627) Tess Kalinowski transportation reporter Ontario drivers have four months to get themselves a hands-free device for their cellphones and BlackBerrys before police start issuing fines for multi-tasking behind the wheel. The province's much-lauded distracted-driving law comes into effect Oct. 26. But the government is giving drivers until Feb. 1 to put down their cellphones before they are subject to fines up to $500. Even drivers using earbuds will have to pull over to place a call. Adjusting GPS units and iPods while behind the wheel also will be off-limits – all welcome restrictions, according to safety officials. Only emergency services, drivers dialling 911, and truckers and other commercial drivers will be exempt. The trucking industry has been given a three-year grace period to acquire technology that can replace devices such as CB radios. The fact that the legislation refers specifically to DVDs and laptops speaks to how widespread technological distractions have become, said Fay Lyons, of the Canadian Automobile Association. "There can be so many distractions to our driving, but it's really important that we limit it as much as we possibly can by turning off your (devices). A lot of it is common sense," she said. The maximum $500 fine will be issued for the most serious violations, and no demerit points will be issued for distracted driving, said OPP Chief Supt. Bill Grodzinski. Drivers who dial and text behind the wheel have nearly three times the risk of being in a crash, according to a 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. With files from Robert Benzie and Associated Press
On the road? Phones off Here's another UPDATE with a little bit more info on charges .... TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE (http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/326974--on-the-road-phones-off) October 01, 2009 5:02 a.m. Provincial ban looms on use of electronic devices while driving Ontario’s ban on the use of cellphones, BlackBerrys and other hand-held electronic devices by drivers will take effect Oct. 26. Motorists can expect a three-month education period when the ban first comes into effect, which means police will show some leniency. But police will begin issuing tickets next Feb. 1. Ontario drivers could be fined up to $500 if they’re caught using their hand-held cellphones or BlackBerrys to talk, email or send text messages while behind the wheel. The government has said hands-free devices aren’t covered by the legislation, but they are not recommended for use while driving. Drivers are also banned from using portable video games and DVD players but they are allowed to use their cellphones for 9-1-1 calls. Global positioning systems are allowed, as long as they’re properly secured to the dashboard. There are no demerit points attached to the Ontario law, unlike in other provinces. However, Ontario motorists using a banned cellphone could also be charged under careless driving laws and face fines, six demerit points, a driver’s licence suspension and even jail time.
wow this is so stupid... lucky i live in bc so there isnt any laws on this. altho i still pull away my cell phone while driving when i see a police cruiser nearby just to be safe
I saw some ads where they are selling back view mirrors(70 can though) with bluetooth so can connect it with your phone and talk.
