The Ontario government followed through with plans to crack down on distracted drivers, proposing maximum fines of $1,000 and three points vs. offenders' licenses. Transportation Minister Glen Murray, left, introduced the "Keeping Ontario's Roads Safe Act" on March 17. The increased penalties for handheld cell phone use and texting had been sought by safety advocates and law enforcement: "Everyone's been saying you've got to put (distracted driving) in the same range as drinking and driving," the minister said. The distracted driving changes were anticipated, and followed action by the … [Read more...]
Manitoba: Distracted driving news
June 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In the first three months under Manitoba's strengthened distracted driving laws, about 300 drivers have seen their licenses suspended for cell phone use. One man received a seven-day suspension after being caught for offenses in November 2018 and then again in January, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. Manitoba's fine for handheld cell phone offenses became among the strongest in Canada as of Nov. 1, 2018. Fines soared to $672 from $203. First offenders also will get a three-day license suspension and suffer 5 demerit points. The license suspension expands to seven days for serial … [Read more...]
Australia, New Zealand distracted driving news
October 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In Victoria, mobile phone laws are being updated in order to "expand and clarify" the rules. The changes "reflect the significant increase of in-vehicle technologies and other technologies capable of distracting a driver," the government said. Hardware covered include mobile phones, wearable devices, mounted devices and motor-bike helmet displays. In general, drivers cannot perform data entry or scroll through screens. Drivers are prohibited from touching unmounted portable devices -- including mobile phones and tablets -- except when they are parked. The new rules go into effect March 30, … [Read more...]
Alberta DD law now in effect
August 26, 2011 by 3 Comments
Alberta took its time installing a distracted driving law -- it's the eighth Canadian province to do so -- but the new rules clearly are among the most comprehensive in North America. The new Alberta distracted driving law went into effect next Thursday, Sept. 1. The fine is $172 (total). (This post updated Sept. 1) In addition to banning text messaging, emailing and the use of handheld cell phones for drivers, the law prohibits other use various other handheld electronic communications devices, grooming, non-commercial use of CB radios, GPS data entry, writing, drawing, sketching, reading … [Read more...]
Double trouble for distracted driver; mayor busted
July 26, 2011 by 1 Comment
A pair of odds and ends, with the emphasis on odd: Here's a candidate for the world's most brazen distracted driver: British police were in the process of stopping David Secker of Norwich for using a handheld cell phone while driving on a freeway. To their astonishment, the officers then realized that he was texting on another cell phone. The capper: Secker reportedly made the officer wait for him to finish his cell phone call. Sentencing is Aug. 15. Toronto's mayor allegedly gave the finger to a citizen who scolded him for using a cell phone while driving. Ottilie Mason said she gave … [Read more...]
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