Distracted driving growing danger

Cases climb 36% over two years across Ontario

Distracted driving continues to be an issue, not only on Niagara roads, but across the province as more people are risking driving while not completely dedicated to the task, putting themselves and others at risk.

Distracted driving is defined by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as the “improper use of hand-held communication and or entertainment devices while behind the wheel.”

“Whether you’re driving, stopped in traffic or waiting at a red light, it is illegal to: operate cellphones to talk, text, type, dial or email,” states the Ministry’s website.

A report conducted by Hellosafe.ca determined deaths due to distracted driving increased by 36 per cent between 2020-2022 in the province accounting for the deaths of 105 Ontarians.

“Distracted driving since the early 2000s has continued to be a problem not only in Niagara region, but across Ontario and the country,” said Cst. Phil Gavin, media relations officer, Niagara Regional Police Service.

“As phones become more included in our daily lives, for some people, it becomes harder to not use them, especially while driving.”

Gavin said the NRPS is doing everything within their power to mitigate this dangerous habit to prevent accidents and potential injury or death.

Across the country in 2021, according to the Hellosafe report, more than 1,768 people were estimated to have lost their lives because of a fatal collision.

“Distracted driving would be responsible for 19.7 per cent of road deaths nationally, or about 348 victims directly related to this infraction in that same year,” stated the report.

“In comparison, speed is responsible for 24.7 per cent of fatal collisions, and 18 per cent are caused by environmental factors (weather, roadway defects, adverse traffic conditions).”

Gavin highlighted the law is there to dissuade people from becoming

distracted while driving using electronic devices or becoming distracted by other means in their vehicle, such as eating, makeup application, or other occupations.

“For the first conviction, it’s a fine of $650 and can go up depending on the type of ticket, ranging up to $1,000, that may involve (three) demerit points upon conviction, and an automatic three-day suspension,” he said.

Gavin added on second conviction the fine is the same but it could increase to $2,000 and six demerit points and a sevenday suspension with penalties increasing for each subsequent violation if convicted.

He stressed for novice (G1) drivers the penalties are much steeper and can impact the driver’s licence.

“If you’re a novice driver, you’re going to face several penalties, but you’re driving suspension periods, the first conviction is 30 days, second conviction, 90 days and the licence could be subject to being cancelled or suspended for a longer period of time.”

Gavin added beyond the common use of cellphones, computers, eating or other things people do behind the wheel can also constitute distracted driving.

He said in many cases it is hard to determine whether a collision is due to distracted driving as most people know they should not be doing it and do not own up to their actions.

“Most people know they’re not supposed to use the phone, so very often there’s a denial of using the phone, which then becomes a matter of presenting evidence at court to determine the grounds to substantiate the charge,” he said.

In most instances, Gavin details, when it comes to more of the non-electronic device’s distractions, such as people doing their hair, shaving, or even eating food there are other aspects of the Highway Traffic Act they can rely on to “capture the offence.”

“Careless driving is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act that involves the operator having or failing to have due care and attention on the roadway,” said Gavin.

“A careless driving conviction becomes more problematic for the problematic driver, looking at the language of operating without due care and attention, if someone has a sandwich in their left hand and coffee in their right and they’re trying to operate a motor vehicle, arguably they don’t have due care and attention to be able to operate a motor vehicle.”