Jan 2019
Ontario’s Push to Reduce Distracted Driving Continues
The increased penalties for distracted driving offenses in Ontario are now in effect. The updates include increased monetary penalties, demerit points, and license suspensions. It’s been known for some time now that these changes were coming, but now that they’re actually active it will be interesting to see how they impact driver behavior.
The updated policies add a level of offense beyond distracted driving. Officers will also be policing for careless driving, which they describe as endangering other people due to a distraction. Thus includes distractions caused by hands-free devices. The penalties for careless driving are potentially major, including a loss of six demerit points, fines up to $2,000, and/or a jail term of six months and a license suspension of up to two years.
Going even further, dangerous driving is a criminal offense that includes a jail term of up to 10 years for causing bodily harm and up to 14 years for causing death.
A full outline of the guidelines and the penalties is available on the Government of Ontario’s website:
