Ontario gets tougher on distracted driving

Anyone who is distracted behind the wheel will face harsher penalties as of January 1.

Ontario's new distracted driving penalties will come into effect on New Year's Day. Any drivers caught using a handheld device will now have to deal with increased fines, demerit points, and license suspensions.

Deaths related to distracted driving have doubled since 2000, according to the Ontario Government, with one person injured in a distracted-driving collision every half hour.

Before January 1, a conviction for distracted driving brought a $500 fine and three demerit points. There were no escalating penalties for repeat offenders.

According to the Ministry of Transportation website, starting Tuesday if you have an A, B, C, D, E, F and/or G licence, you’ll face:

For your first conviction:

• •a fine of up to $1,000

• •three demerit points

          •a three-day day driver’s licence suspension

For your second conviction within 5 years:

• •a fine of up to $2,000

• •six demerit points

          •a seven-day driver’s licence suspension

For your third and all subsequent convictions within 5 years:

• •a fine of up to $3,000

• •six demerit points

          •a 30-day driver’s licence suspension

If you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence and are convicted of distracted driving, you’ll face the same escalating fines as drivers with A to G licences but you won’t receive any demerit points.

Instead of demerit points you’ll face:

• •a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction

• •a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction

          •cancellation of your licence for a third conviction

You can face a conviction if police catch you using a hand-held communication or electronic entertainment device while driving. It is also against the law to use these devices while at a red light.

Distracted driving isn't the only thing police are cracking down on. In mid-December, the government of Ontario introduced harsher penalties for driving under the influence.