Ontario’s Distracted Driving Ban: 2 Years Later

This fall marks the two year anniversary of the texting and driving ban in Ontario.
As the Legislative Assembly of Ontario states in Bill 118:

No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway if the display screen of a television, computer or other device in the motor vehicle is visible to the driver. ¹

The ban of hand-held devices throughout Ontario was established in 2009. Drivers could face up to a $500 penalty if caught.

A recent poll shows that a large number of drivers are still witnessed using hand-held devices while driving. Well known instances include Mayor Rob Ford's use of his phone in the car over the summer as well as further accusations this fall. Another report by Hands Free Info states that "A year after enforcement of the province’s handheld electronic devices ban, Toronto Police say they’re citing about 40 motorists a day". This year, over 1,600 tickets for distracted driving have been written during the Victoria Day weekend of 2011.

What is the effect of this legislation? Clearly, if drivers are continuing to use their cell phones despite the fines, the dangers and the risks, the law does not prove to be enough. Drivers continue to use their phones, sometimes even below the steering wheel, making it more dangerous than before.

Hands-free devices are still permitted in Ontario and Voice on the Go is the perfect solution. It is an alternative that not only complies with the distracted driving law, but increases driver safety. A one year subscription of voice on the Go could save you from the hundreds of dollars that could be potentially spent on penalties and driving accidents. Get voice on the Go here.

Texting and Driving laws are put in place for good reason. Let's help keep our roads safer and comply with the hands-free law.