Portail Client 
EN 
Stiffer fines and long term consequences are here for distracted drivers in Ontario. Drivers caught talking, texting, dialing or emailing on a handheld device will be fined up to $1,000 — more than double the current fine. Additional penalties include a three-day licence suspension and three demerit points. On top of that, convicted motorists can expect their insurance rates to go up.
Distracted driving has become a substantial issue in our society, and it is not without consequence. See for yourself…
- It takes only 3 seconds after a driver’s attention has been diverted from the road for a crash to occur.
- Checking a text for 5 seconds means that at 90 km/h, you’ve travelled the length of a football field blindfolded.
- À propos 26% of all car crashes involve phone use, including hands-free phone use.
- Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North America each year.
These statistics paint an unpleasant picture. Texting and driving has become a daily occurrence for many people, and it is something that each individual driver needs to stop.
It’s easy to feel as though you’re the best driver on the road; to get overly confident in your abilities. You’ve driven so many times you could do it with your eyes closed, right? However good your driving skills are, remember that it only takes one second of distracted driving to make a difference. It only takes one animal to jump in front of your car while you aren’t looking, or just one person swerving into your lane while you’re sending a text.
Road safety is always a priority here at Erb, and we understand that texting and driving is a real issue. Don’t have a New Year’s Resolution yet? Commit to not texting and driving. Turn your phone on silent mode, put it out of reach (out of sight, out of mind), or even download an app that prevents you from opening your phone while driving. Checking a text is never worth a life.
