New distracted driving rules and penalties now in effect.

[rafterman]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...ties-increase-under-new-ontario-law-1.3096785

Up to a grand fine and three demerits depending on the infraction.

 

[daboy]

about time--should take phone away for a week also.
Just today down the 410 , left lane --the guy ahead doing 90 and weaving---i pass and he is looking down texting..pisses me off to no end. Just as bad as DUI

i feel better now
db

 

[SkyRider]

I remember when doctors use to argue that they are doctors and not police. Now they have to report unfit drivers, gunshot wounds, suspected child abuse, etc. What ever happened to the privacy of patients? Surely, this must be some violation of Charter rights?

"The updated law also clarifies the mandatory and discretionary requirements by doctors to report unfit drivers, and allows for reporting by other, qualified medical professionals."

 

[rgkv]

I was driving up the 404 the other day, I passed a guy who was in the fast lane. He had his lap top on his lap, typing, steering with his knees.
You know... I wanted to pull in front and slam on the breaks...

 

[buttercup]

What if I look at my watch? My watch is a hand-held device that communicates time information to me.

My cell phone shows the time -- what if I look at my cell-phone to tell what time it is?

 

[GameBoy27]

Everybody sees drivers texting and on highways which is extremely dangerous. I see it every day and it drives me nuts. You'd figure it would be like shooting fish in a barrel for cops to write tickets left right and center. The problem is it's not safe to pull people over on the shoulder of a highway so most get away with it. In the city, they target people texting while stopped in traffic or at a red light which is no different or any more dangerous than writing a note on a piece of paper.

They have to find a way to target people texting while actually driving (as in the wheels are turning). Nobody ever caused an accident texting stopped at a traffic light.

 

[drstrangelove]

I remember when doctors use to argue that they are doctors and not police. Now they have to report unfit drivers, gunshot wounds, suspected child abuse, etc. What ever happened to the privacy of patients? Surely, this must be some violation of Charter rights?

"The updated law also clarifies the mandatory and discretionary requirements by doctors to report unfit drivers, and allows for reporting by other, qualified medical professionals."

Would you rather have a close friend or family member killed by someone who clearly shouldn't be driving, but would otherwise go undetected?

 

[drstrangelove]

. . . like shooting fish in a barrel for cops to write tickets left right and center.

In the city, they target people texting while stopped in traffic or at a red light.

You solved your own conundrum.

 

[GameBoy27]

You solved your own conundrum.

Not really... I want them to charge the ones who are texting while driving, especially on highways!

There's a big difference between glancing at your phone for a few seconds as soon as you pull up to a red light and texting while travelling on a highway at 100 ft/s.

 

[FAST]

What if I look at my watch? My watch is a hand-held device that communicates time information to me.

My cell phone shows the time -- what if I look at my cell-phone to tell what time it is?

Get a car that has a clock,...!!!

FAST

 

[daboy]

now you are looking at degrees of distraction. YOU CANNOT USE YOUR FRIGGING HANDHELD WHILE IN CONTROL OF AN AUTO PERIOD. Get over it.

Now i fell better
db

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

They should impose MPA assessment http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical-psychological_assessment_(Germany)

The problem is not cellphones, it is peoples psychology and ability to perceive and react.

Some form of MPA should be imposed on all new drivers and stringent MPA imposed on drunk drivers or repeat offenders.

Get these fuckers off the road if they are not competent to drive. Cell phone distraction is not the root of the problem.

Fuck me silly but each time the MPA is imposed on me I find it refines and purifies my senses. Anytime MPA is used is a good thing in my books.

 

[peter4025]

Who will ticket the police while they are using cells while driving. Today I saw two of them doing it

 

[rhuarc29]

Not really... I want them to charge the ones who are texting while driving, especially on highways!

There's a big difference between glancing at your phone for a few seconds as soon as you pull up to a red light and texting while travelling on a highway at 100 ft/s.

100% agree. I don't mind if someone glances at their cell at a red light...so long as they don't hold up traffic when the light goes green. Anyone with intelligence is able to do so safely, while glancing up every couple seconds to see if the cross traffic has got an amber.

But if your vehicle is moving, every time you take your eyes off the road is increasing risk. Even worse to take your hands off the wheel and drive with your knees!

It's downright criminal to lump the two types of people above together as one crime, considering one causes significant risk and the other doesn't.

 

[FearlessFreep]

Who will ticket the police while they are using cells while driving. Today I saw two of them doing it

This annoys the hell out of me too. How are they any less distracted, or any less a danger to others. How about leading by example.

 

[basketcase]

Everybody sees drivers texting and on highways which is extremely dangerous....

I also love the cyclists riding along busy streets with no hands while scrolling through the playlist of songs booming through their headphones. At least when they crash though they're not as likely to kill someone other than themselves.

 

[spankey]

Everybody sees drivers texting and on highways which is extremely dangerous. I see it every day and it drives me nuts. You'd figure it would be like shooting fish in a barrel for cops to write tickets left right and center. The problem is it's not safe to pull people over on the shoulder of a highway so most get away with it. In the city, they target people texting while stopped in traffic or at a red light which is no different or any more dangerous than writing a note on a piece of paper.

They have to find a way to target people texting while actually driving (as in the wheels are turning). Nobody ever caused an accident texting stopped at a traffic light.

I can't count the number of times I've been behind the guy texting at the light. The light changes to green then we all sit until he realizes what's up.... I get piss'd but not as much as the 4th or 5th dude back who catches on.

 

[james t kirk]

I can't count the number of times I've been behind the guy texting at the light. The light changes to green then we all sit until he realizes what's up.... I get piss'd but not as much as the 4th or 5th dude back who catches on.

This has become very common and I find myself laying on the horn all the time now.

 

[Hornylover]

This is a cash cow ! It's all about the $$$

 

[sashimi]

I agree with the higher penalties as a deterrent wrt to hand held devices.

I'm more concern with enforcement of the new rule wrt pedestrians completely crossing the road vs halfway now. If this new crossing rule is strictly enforced, it will cause longer wait for vehicles to make the turn, traffic build up, and more impatient drivers at the back unless the turning traffic signals are lengthened to accommodate this new rule. What do you guys think?