Greater Sudbury Police handed out 21 provincial offence notices for distracted driving over a two hour period on Dec. 12.
Members of the GSPS Traffic Management Unit conducted a focused education and enforcement initiative on Dec. 12 to address distracted driving complaints within the City of Greater Sudbury.
In just two hours, officers had issued 21 provincial offence notices for cell phone use while driving. These provincial offence notices carry a set fine of $400 and three demerit points.
On Jan. 1, 2019, changes to Ontario’s Distracted Driving Laws will take effect.
Increased penalties, demerit points, and the introduction of post-conviction driver’s licence suspensions for distracted driving set out under Sections 78 and 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act will take effect.
Suspensions will include an escalating penalty structure for repeat offences:
- First conviction: $500-$1,000 fine, three demerit points, and a three-day suspension
- Second conviction: $500-$2,000 fine, six demerit points, and a seven-day suspension
- Third and any subsequent conviction(s): $500-$3,000 fine, six demerit points, and a 30-day suspension
Novice drivers issued a distracted driving offence will be subject to the same escalating fines as a fully-licenced driver and would be subject to the existing escalating sanctions regime (30-days, 90-days and driver’s licence cancellation).
Drivers are reminded of the following:
- Reduce or avoid distractions such as eating, drinking, smoking, personal grooming and non-driving activities while driving
- Prepare your vehicle prior to operation including setting radios and GPS systems
- Do not text or surf social media/the Internet while driving and stay off of your cell phone
- Use your cell phone for emergency situations only by pulling over or through a hands-free system
- Do your multi-tasking outside of your vehicle
