No hand-helds, Ontario drivers told
p2pnet news view | Mobiles:- It’s now illegal in virtually half of Canada to make a phone call while you’re driving — unless you’re using a hands-free mobile.
Motorists who “change tunes” while they’re on the road face fines of up to $500 under Ontario’s proposed new “distracted driving” law, says the Toronto Star, going on.
“The legislation introduced yesterday also takes aim at cellphone calls that aren’t hands-free, portable DVD and video game players visible to the driver, BlackBerrys and hand-held global positioning systems.”
The clip on the right is from a photograph by the Toronto Star’s Jim Ross showing
Newfoundland and Labrador was the first province to ban the use of hand-held cellphones in 2003 with penalties ranging from $11 to $400 plus four demerit points, says the Canadian Press.
“Quebec motorists face fines of $115 plus the loss of three demerit points, while Nova Scotia’s fines start at $164.50 for a first offence and grow to $337 for subsequent offences,” it says, adding:
“Manitoba and Prince Edward Island are also considering bans on hand-held cellphones by drivers, but Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has spoken against the idea, saying police tell him it would be difficult to enforce.”
But, says an Ottawa Citizen comment post from retired RCMP chief superintendent Dale Boire, “We live in a society that views multitasking as an efficient way to maximize the use of time.”
He adds:
“While cellphones may be the most obvious of the distractions, it is just one of the many non-driving functions that most people do while behind the wheel. I have even seen police officers typing away on their on-board computer in their cruisers while waiting for a traffic light to change, often unaware that the light has changed.
“Directing a law specifically at hand-held cellphones will do little except satisfy some of the critics.”
Toronto Star – , October 29, 2008
Canadian Press – Ont. drivers could face $500 fines for using cellphones, electronic devices, October 28, 2008
Ottawa Citizen – Cellphone law compliance not a sure thing, October 29, 2008
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October 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Well it’s aboot friggin’ time!
October 29th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
actually cellphones aren’t the biggest problem.
I’ve seen the following whiling driving:
woman putting on makeup at 100+ km/hr
man reading newspaper at 110+ km/hr
woman changing her shirt at god knows how fast (couldn’t catch up)
some crazy young girl eating something out a bowl with a spoon steering with her legs
police officer typing on his computer at 100+ km/hr
and the winner of this contest was – two teens getting it on naked on the 401 at 120 km/hr!!!
So banning cellphones makes sense since I’m sure most or all of the above got in a accident at some point.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Yes I was the winnar! And it was 110km not 120km.
jk.
I always thought that video players/tvs were always against the law. Anything that would be distracting for the driver. I have a problem with people driving with their dogs on their lap. Whether it be a little dog or a big dog. Ive also seen cops in their cruisers driving and typeing on their laptop. I would be curious to see if there have been any accidents relating to that.
The one accident I was in I was changing the radio station. I looked down to change it and didnt see the car in front of me stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. I saw it to late and by the time I had hit the brakes I ended up hitting the car in front. Not much damage to it as it was an older car but the side taillight did some damage to my car.
It someone phones me and I dont think I can concentrate on driving I wont answer it. Ill phone back within a few minutes when it is safer.
October 31st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I have noticed that police officers talk on their phones (not hands-free) far more than ordinary citizens in my town, what that says about my city who knows, although we do not currently have hands-free law to my knowledge.
What amazes me is that people dont just get a hands-free car kit out of sheer convenience, like southwing SF605. There are plenty of models out there reasonably priced and to spend 60 bucks to avoid an accident with thousands of dollars in damage and potential lives lost…truly a no-brainer – probably why the local police havent thought of that!