Nov 2018

Ontario set to Initiate Harsher Distracted Driving Penalties

According to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), the distracted driving changes made under the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act back in 2017 are set to go into effect January 1, 2019. The MTO outlined the coming changes as follows:

Drivers in Ontario who are caught texting, dialing, emailing, or talking on their phones will be fined up to $1,000, will receive a three-day license suspension, and three demerit points.

Drivers with more than one distracted driving conviction will face a fine of up to $2,000, a seven-day license suspension, and six demerit points,

Any person caught driving distracted more than two times will pay a fine of up to $3,000 and will lose their license for 30 days.

As reported by CBC News, Jeff Yurek, Ontario’s minister of transportation, stated “Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America, but we also know distracted driving continues to be a serious issue.” Once the new legislation goes into effect, “Ontario will have the toughest penalties for repeat distracted driving convictions.”