Ontario to increase fines for texting, using hand-held phone while driving
Posted Oct 22, 2014 06:29:03 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario motorists will face stiffer fines and penalties for texting while driving under legislation the Liberal government reintroduced on Tuesday.
The previous bill to increase the maximum fine for distracted driving to $1,000 and impose three demerit points died when the June 12th election was called.
Ontario Provincial Police say distracted driving is becoming the No. 1 killer on the roads, accounting for more deaths last year than impaired driving or speed-related accidents.
A recent Centre for Addiction and Mental Health survey found more than one-third of licensed Ontario students in Grades 10 to 12 admitted to having texted while driving at least once in the past year.
Using handheld devices to text, email or talk while driving, except for 911 calls, has been banned in Ontario since 2009.
