Are stiffer distracted driving penalties enough to make a difference?
One of the biggest influences of safe driving is ourselves. In reality, it’s up to us to do some self-governing to keep us safe on the roads. To be honest, we all know that’s not working so well. It’s sad really that we will only do what’s right when we have stiff penalties in place or when someone of authority is watching us. This is definitely true when it comes to distracted driving.
The current rules don’t seem to be enough to send the message to people that distractions can seriously injure and kill. Many governments have put laws in place to penalize drivers if they are caught using a handheld electronic device while driving. And ‘while driving’ also means stopped at a traffic light. Some of the penalties include jail time along with the fine. Some fines are very low that it only seems like a minor inconvenience if they are caught. There are other governments that have not done anything to reduce distracted driving by not making it illegal to do so. What were they thinking? Oh wait; they probably weren’t.
Ontario Canada on the other hand has really stepped up their punishments for distracted driving infractions. Starting January 2019, anyone holding or using any handheld device will incur some pretty stiff penalties. Let’s first understand what you can and can’t do while in your vehicle when it comes to hand-held electronics.
As a driver, you can use a cell phone with an earpiece, headset or Bluetooth device using 
voice-activated dialing. The catch is only to activate or deactivate a “hands-free” function, and only if the device is mounted or secured in the vehicle. Dialing or scrolling through contacts are not allowed. You can also use a GPS, provided the GPS is mounted on the dashboard or windshield. You must input the required information before you start driving. If you’re changing your route or destination, you must safely pull over before making any of those changes. You’re also allowed to use a portable media player plugged into the vehicle’s sound system, but must program your playlist before driving away. And of course, you are allowed to call 911 in an emergency.
Although many modern vehicles have a lot of electronic distractions built into the vehicle, they can still be used while the vehicle is in motion. (Come on automakers!) I would just suggest to you to wait until you’re safely stopped before using them. A quick glance can be fine to make one selection on your vehicle’s dashboard if it’s safe to do so, but more than that can be dangerous. And to those who believe holding your phone up to your face and using the speaker function is hands-free, it’s not. Because you’re using your hand to hold the phone, it’s not hands-free. *Thanks Captain Obvious*
So now that you know what you can and can’t do pertaining to distracted driving in 
Ontario, here are the penalties. For the first conviction you would receive a fine up to $1000, 3 demerit points on your licence and a 3 day driving suspension. If you’re not frightened by this and do it again and get caught within a 5 year span, you’ll receive a fine up to $2000, 6 demerit points and a 7 day licence suspension. Think you can get away with another attempt within that 5 year span? Well, getting caught would result in a fine up to $3000, 6 demerit points and a 30 day licence suspension. Lots of money and points, huh? Worth it? Nope.
If you have a G1 or G2 licence, the following apply to you; a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction, a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction and a cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction
Ontario is getting tough with drivers. It’s obvious drivers feel they are better than the imposed rules. They belong to the “it won’t happen to me club”. It’s like having a teen who always breaks curfew or other rules so you stiffen the rules. One day you would hope they would learn. Ontario drivers; are you ready to learn?
**Have a quick listen to this short episode of the “Speed Bumps” podcast as distracted driving is explained in a way you may not think about!
**Just how does distracted driving affect us? Read THIS.
During a lesson, one fine Saturday, my student and I pulled up to an intersection. The woman in the car beside us was holding her phone and talking into it. I motioned to her, and she rolled her window down. I asked if she knew she could get a (at the time) $400 fine for that. She sneered at me, and retorted “I’m using *hands-free*.”
I smiled and replied, “Not if you are holding it in your hand.”
She looked very confused by that.