Everything You Need to Know About Distracted Driving in Canada

Sending or reading a text message takes approximately five seconds. That may not sound like a lot of time, but imagine someone driving for five seconds. It’s definitely a long time to be distracted while behind the wheel.

Just like America, Canada has their own set of laws and penalties for distracted driving. Keep reading to learn more.

What Counts as Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving may sound a little vague and difficult to prove. Distracted driving in Ontario is defined as:

• Using any hand-held communication device (Exception: calling 911)
• Using a hand-held device such as a tablet or gaming console
• Watching a video or looking at any screen unrelated to driving
• Typing into a GPS device

One thing that is permitted is using a hands-free communication device, such as a bluetooth earpiece or speaker. While Ontario does not include eating, drinking, or smoking in their definition, those actions and others can still cause accidents and lead to a careless or dangerous driving charge.

Statistics

Below are some interesting distracted driving statistics, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.

• 47% of Canadians admit that they have sent a message while driving
• The most dangerous place in Canada for distracted driving is British Columbia, with 27% of their road fatalities involving distractions
• A driver using a phone is four times more likely to crash than a driver focusing on the road

Laws

There are actually three laws that relate to distracted driving: Distracted, Careless, and Dangerous driving.

Ontario’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to use any handheld device while driving or even when stopped at a red light

Ontario’s careless driving law applies if the distracted driving endangers others with their driving.

The most serious offense would be dangerous driving, a criminal offense that carries penalties including jail time. It is defined as driving in a way that endangers others, which sounds very similar to careless driving. Each unique situation will determine whether a careless or dangerous (criminal) driving charge is filed.

Penalties

Below are Ontario’s penalties for a distracted driving charge.

• First Conviction:
  • Fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
  • Fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
  • Three demerit points
  • 3-day suspension
• Second Conviction
  • Fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
  • Fine of up to $2,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
  • Six demerit points
  • 7-day suspension
• Third Conviction (and any additional)
  • Fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
  • Fine of up to $3,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
  • Six demerit points
  • 30-day suspension

Other Consequences

Distracted driving leads to accidents, which can lead to injury or death. Below are some final statistics to highlight the dangers of driving distracted:

• One person is injured in a distracted-driving collision every half hour
• Mobile phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes a year, according to the National Safety Council
• Deaths from distracted driving doubled from 2000 to 2013 in Ontario

If you are injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an accident attorney in Ontario like those at SG Injury Law.