More than 16,000 citations were written for electronic distracted driving in the first 10 months of 2022, government statistics show. That amounted to about 3.3 million pounds in fines. London accounted for well over a third of the ticketing. 2022 was the first year under tougher distracted driving laws in the UK. The government plans to close a loophole in the country's handheld mobile phone law. The loophole -- which allowed the taking of photos, scrolling for music and playing games -- was used by some drivers to beat distracted driving charges. Roads minister Baroness Vere said: "We’re … [Read more...]
Saskatchewan distracted driving news
November 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment
In Saskatchewan, fines for electronic distracted driving more than doubled on Feb. 1, 2020. "Enough is enough," said Joe Hargrave, the minister who oversees Saskatchewan Government Insurance. A first offense will bring distracted drivers a $580 fine plus 4 demerit points vs. the license. A second offense within a year brings a $1,400 citation, plus 4 points and a weeklong vehicle seizure. A third offense brings a $2,100 fine, and another 4 points and the seizure. "Yes, the tickets are costly," Hargrave says. "Don’t want to get one? It’s easy. Put the phone down, keep your head up and focus on … [Read more...]
Britain to double mobile phone fines
September 17, 2016 by 1 Comment
Britain's new government is following up tough talk on electronic distracted driving with a doubling of penalties for handheld mobile phone use. The new punishments, still being finalized, will be be at least £200 and 6 points vs. the driver's license, officials says. They will take effect in the first half of next year, the Department for Transport said. The moves are spearheaded by new Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, left, who was appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May. Distracted drivers "could kill and cause untold misery to others," Grayling said in a statement Sept. 17. "I … [Read more...]
Quebec: Distracted driving news
August 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
A Quebec man has been sentenced to four years in prison after he was convicted of killing a man and injuring two youngsters while texting & driving. Martin Carrieres exchanged 34 text messages immediately before the accident, police investigators found. The judge found "flagrant negligence" and said she wanted "to send a clear message to the public" about distracted driving. The crash occurred in March 2012. Quebec's new distracted driving penalties went into effect June 30, 2018. First-time fines for holding a portable communications device run $300 to $600, doubling for subsequent … [Read more...]
Siri a winner in Nova Scotia courts
November 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Canadian provinces continue to struggle with the specifics of their distracted driving laws. In the latest case, in Nova Scotia, the Supreme Court sided with a motorist who was ticketed for using the Siri feature on an iPhone to ask for directions. The high court ruled in late October 2015 that employing the voice-activated navigational system did not constitute "use" of the cell phone, which would be illegal. Justice Jamie Campbell said the related wording in the Nova Scotia's Motor Vehicle Act was so simple as to be unclear and behind the times. He said other provinces were more … [Read more...]
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