ONTARIO, MANITOBA RAISE FINES
Ontario and Manitoba are upping fines for distracted driving to deter people from using cellphones behind the wheel.
Coming into effect on Jan. 1, the new legislation in Ontario will see the penalties increase to a $1,000 fine, plus a threeday licence suspension and three demerit points. Drivers with more than one offence will be charged a $2,000 fine, have their licence taken away for seven days, and receive six demerit points. If caught more than two times, the penalties increase to a $3,000 fine and a 30-day suspension, making Ontario the province with the strictest penalties for distracted driving.
In Manitoba, drivers caught with a mobile device in their hands now face a licence suspension of three days, five demerit points and a $672 fine, and an additional seven-day ban if they break the law again within a 10-year period.