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New legislation to hit distracted driving, drug impairment

Ontario is introducing legislation that, if passed, would impact distracted driving as well as driving while impaired by drugs..

Ontario is introducing legislation that, if passed, would impact distracted driving as well as driving while impaired by drugs..
If passed, the proposed legislation and supporting amendments to the Highway Traffic Act will make highways and roads safer by:

 

  • Increasing fines for distracted driving from its current range of $60 to $500 to a range of $300 to $1,000; assigning three demerit points upon conviction; and adding distracted driving to the existing list of novice driver conditions.
  • Applying current alcohol impaired sanctions to drivers who are drug impaired.
  • Introducing additional measures to address repeat offenders of alcohol impaired driving.
  • Requiring drivers to wait until a pedestrian has completely crossed the road before proceeding at school crossings and pedestrian crossovers.
  • Increasing fines and demerits for drivers who door cyclists, and requiring all drivers to maintain a distance of one metre when passing cyclists, where practicable.
  • Helping municipalities collect unpaid fines by expanding licence plate denial for drivers who do not pay Provincial Offences Act fines.