Lots of buzz today across Ontario as Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced a new distracted driving bill in the legislature that will see stiffer penalties and increased fines. The new bill comes with real teeth as its proposing an increase from the current $60 to $500 fine range to between $300 and $1,000 along with the major step of introducing demerit points. Currently, no points are accumulated for using a mobile device while driving.
A driver looks at his mobile phone while driving – THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom Boland
The new legislation comes as distracted driving rises above impaired driving and speeding as the leading cause of death on the roads. Ontario Provincial Police said there were 78 distracted driving deaths last year compared to 57 for impaired 44 for speeding.
You only have to drive around town to see these stats for yourself as it’s all quite shocking really when you think about it. This whole distracted device issue is only about 10 years old and just think it is one more reason for the increase in momentum of the self driving car.
Source: Toronto Star
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