Hands off! Distracted driving law in effect Oct. 26
Newsbot @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:49 am
Title: Hands off! Distracted driving law in effect Oct. 26
Category: Law & Order
Posted By: Benn
Date: 2009-10-01 06:49:53
Canadian
leewgrant @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:49 am
$1:
"Drivers who text, type, e-mail, dial or chat using a hand-held device will face a fine of up to $500 upon conviction,"
What about listening to the radio? That can be distracting too. And turning round to bat the kids.
xerxes @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:42 am
As good as this is, there are already laws on the books that cover this. It's called "driving without due care and attention".
gigs @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:08 am
I hope Alberta does the same. Anybody who thinks driving while on the phone or texting 
is not distracting, must drive with their head up their arse.
ASLplease @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:15 pm
leewgrant leewgrant:
$1:
"Drivers who text, type, e-mail, dial or chat using a hand-held device will face a fine of up to $500 upon conviction,"
What about listening to the radio? That can be distracting too. And turning round to bat the kids.
if its a handheld radio, you'll probably get pulled over. Otherwise, I doubt that the police officer will notice
ASLplease @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:17 pm
Newsbot Newsbot:
Title: Hands off! Distracted driving law in effect Oct. 26
Category: Law & Order
Posted By: Benn
Date: 2009-10-01 06:49:53
Canadian
Category: Law & Order
Posted By: Benn
Date: 2009-10-01 06:49:53
Canadian
I guess that kinda blows a hole through the idea that doctors and other people have valid reasons for talking and driving.
EyeBrock @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:39 pm
xerxes xerxes:
As good as this is, there are already laws on the books that cover this. It's called "driving without due care and attention".
No such law in Ontario. I do believe there is such a statute in BC though.
xerxes @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:46 pm
Ah. Thanks for the info.
Choban @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:54 pm
xerxes xerxes:
As good as this is, there are already laws on the books that cover this. It's called "driving without due care and attention".
I believe they have it here in Alberta but only use it when an accident is the end result.
GreenTiger @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:12 pm
Anybody with 1/2 a brain knows that texting is a distraction while drive. Get a F blue tooth device and talk and leave both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
karra @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:57 pm
The real info;
xerxes xerxes:
As good as this is, there are already laws on the books that cover this. It's called "driving without due care and attention".
Just so you know, what you are referring to is: Careless Driving - the elements of this charge are 'undue care and attention'.
A conviction (Ontario)will cost you $260.00 taxed (victim surtax) up to $325.00 and six points.
Worse though, are the insurance implications which will result in an increase of a minimum of $300.00 per month for three years.
So, while there is no charge of 'driving without due care and attention' per se, in Ontario it is referred to as Careless Driving - a conviction you really want to avoid. . . .
EyeBrock @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:29 pm
Karra, in BC and the UK there is a lesser charge of 'due care and attention' which I think xerxes was thinking of.
Ontario really needs a similar lesser offence.
HTA 'careless' is difficult to prove and unsuitable for many of the times it is used by police.
A 3 point offence of 'due care' with a lower standard of proof would be the way to go.
OldChum @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:26 am
Manitoba will have a new law for text and phones in a year they are breaking people into it for now. It is long overdue .