Ontario's government ombudsman is taking heat for distracted driving -- because he was busy making a tattle-tale video of an extreme case of distracted driving. Andre Martin, the province watchdog, noticed a driver ahead of him using an electric razor to shave his head. Martin whipped out his iPhone and made a video of the outrage, posting it as an example of how motorists will do just about anything behind a wheel, the Toronto Sun reported. Martin was stopped at a light at the time. Unfortunately for Martin, his actions were in violation of the Ontario's new hands-free law, at least in … [Read more...]
Ontario reins in handheld devices
April 24, 2009 by 24 Comments
Ontario drivers who like to yak and text on handheld cell phones have about six months to cure themselves of the habits. (Update: The Ontario ban on handheld electronics for drivers went into effect Monday, Oct. 26. This post is about the bill passing.) The Legislature gave final approval Wednesday to a ban on texting and using handheld devices behind the wheel. Prohibited activities include emailing, watching DVDs, fooling with MP3 players and video gaming. Drivers may continue to use cell phones if a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth headset is employed. "What we’re trying to do is … [Read more...]
Canadian distracted driving updates
December 1, 2008 by 39 Comments
Canada cell phone/texting overview: Distracted driving laws have been enacted in all Canadian provinces, with restrictions similar to those being adopted in the United States. These Canadian provinces have active laws against use of handheld cell phones and/or text messaging while driving -- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland/Labrador. Newfoundland (2002) was the first province to adopt a distracted driving law, and Alberta (2011) was the last. Here's a guide to distracted driving laws in … [Read more...]
Ontario targets cell phones, text messages
October 31, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Ontario drivers would be prohibited from using hand-held cell phones and texting devices under a bill being pushed through by Transportation Minister Jim Bradley. The Canadian province would join Newfoundland and Labrador in banning use of cell phone while driving unless a hands-free device is employed. The transportation overseers say hand-held devices are involved in about a fifth of all highway accidents. Drivers' use of other devices such as iPods, MP3 players, video game players and laptop computers would be prohibited under the proposed law. Bill 118 is called the "Countering … [Read more...]
Text messaging a hot topic after crash
October 5, 2008 by Leave a Comment
News that text messaging played a role in the deadly L.A. commuter train crash has thrust the practice of texting while driving into the national debate. (Update) The National Safety Board reported Oct. 1 that engineer Robert Sanchez sent a text message 22 seconds before the crash, after he had sent and received text messages numberous times during his shifts that day. He received a text message 80 seconds before the crash, the NTSB said. Wireless industry analyst Jack Gold said the widely publicized information that Sanchez had been texting certainly will inspire more legislation against … [Read more...]
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