In NY state it just as expensive and you loose your licence if caught 3 times. It's about time this is dealt with severely. When any of our cars were new, the term 'distracted driving' hadn't even been invented.

Warren

Drinking a coffee is distracted driving and anything else that they think would make money. My ex was the most distracting thing while I was driving!!!! Her screaming and praying would drive me crazy!!!!!!

They said with the way it was, most people took the law to lightly.
They also said, with the new fine increase, it's akin to the drinking and driving laws, "most will heed". Yea, that's why they have blitz's every so often.
I don't think they are stiff enough, yet. For either offence.

I have to agree with Slim here. I couldn't count how many times I've pulled up beside an officer at a light that is talking on the cell phone at that same time as typing away on the laptop. They should be having a co-pilot that can operate the various equipment in their cars. As people are getting pulled over, all your info is coming back to them on the laptop after he types in your plate number - the officer is reading that info while he's following you to help assess the situation and maybe call for back up. All this usually happens before the red and blue lights even come on.

-- Edited by Fordy Acres Car Farm on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 01:08:39 PM

31 Blackrat wrote:

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sasquatch wrote:

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The fine for distracted driving has just been raised from $150 to i think $280 plus 2 points.

(And rightly so.)

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 Still not enough,,,,

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 They should do the same thing as being caught with a radar detector, and smash it all to $hit right there. But I also agree with Slim/Fordy, that the cops shouldn't be allowed that - same as us.

-- Edited by parklane on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 01:49:31 PM

sasquatch wrote:

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I have seen cops talking while driving, and also was Pi**ed about it.
However,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, what some may not know is that there are groups out there with hi tech scanners that continually monitor police calls.
So,, i hear that "Sensitive" information that will affect an investigation is transfered by cell .

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 Don't disagree with that, BUT, if we are supposed to pull over to talk, they should be required to do the same.

Police are except.

CORRECTION

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/three-demerit-points-increased-fines-suggested-for-ontario-s-distracted-drivers-1.1732860

Ontario drivers could be hit with three demerit points and fines of up to $1,000 for distracted driving under new legislation unveiled Monday by the governing Liberals.  Transportation Minister Glen Murray tabled the bill, called the Keeping Ontario’s Roads Safe Act, in the provincial legislature Monday afternoon.  The legislation includes a number of measures designed to make roadways safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, Murray said. The measures include new, higher minimum fines for drivers who use cellphones while behind the wheel.
The current fines for distracted driving range from $60 to $500. Those fines will increase to a range of between $300 and $1,000 if the legislation is adopted. Drivers convicted of distracted driving will also receive three demerit points.  Drivers who have demerit points on their record could face higher insurance premiums.
By 2016, distracted driving-related deaths are projected to exceed deaths from drinking and driving, the provincial government says, while pedestrians currently account for one-in-six car-related fatalities in the province.  “These changes and a number of others…all recognize that everyone needs to feel safe and protected on Ontario’s roads and highways,” Murray said in the legislature.

Penalties for “dooring” cyclists, or opening a car door and hitting a cyclist, will also go up under the bill, also to a range of between $300 and $1,000. The demerit point penalty will be raised from two to three.

Other measures include:

• Mandating that repeated drunk drivers complete intensive alcohol treatment, monitoring and education programs.
• Requiring drivers to yield the entire roadway to pedestrians at school crossings and crosswalks.
• Mandating that drivers keep a one-metre distance when passing a cyclist.
• Requiring drivers to slow down and move over for tow trucks, as they do for emergency vehicles, that are responding to an accident and have their amber lights flashing.

The legislation would also allow bicycle lanes to run in the opposite direction to traffic on one-way streets, and allow cyclists to use paved shoulders of divided highways.
Murray said the legislation is the result of widespread consultations with various stakeholders, including the Canadian Automobile Association, the trucking association and cyclist groups, and includes parts of four private member’s bills.

Motorists may use a cellphone when calling 911 or if they remain in their car but pull off to the side of the road.

I'm probably unique here in that I don't have a cell or a texter ......never have , never will . The desk phone at work and the cordless at home do me just fine . I don't yack on the phone , would rather visit someone in person if it's in the area .

T

I need a cell for my delivery job...I have Bluetooth built into my hearing aids, so I guess I am legal. I usually still pull over when it rings if I can. I find even with the Bluetooth, its still a bit distracting......no worse than the wife back seat driving though................

Like Harry I have the factory bluetooth in the new car, for the hotrod the Garmin has handsfree built into it. Rarely used but there if needed.

Phone stays in my front pocket but my vehicle does have built in Bluetooth, and only one number programed in. (Home)

people laff at my 1997 vintage Samsung . it has voice recognition text . if I really need to reply to a text and cant stop . I can leave it on passenger seat , speak my text message , then just hit send . 1990,s technology rocks . ha ha ..77.

No cell or text here either.Like Chuck said I don't think the world will end if I am out of touch for an hour or so.People say I should get one cause they can't get ahold of me I jus say exactly and passthem my home phone or shop number .Usually I am at one or the other within the hour .If its an emergency call 911. Ed

I guess when self centered people realize that they are not in there livingroom and that they are in control of a 2ton wepon that can kill. Ed

toomuchjunk wrote:

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I agree something had to be done, but where do the rules and regulations stop.
TMJ

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 Not so sure they ever will stop. Generally, people are not smart enough to not get themselves or others in bad situations where somebody gets hurt. We have all seen it time and again.....

Mopeds; when they first came out no license or insurance required, no helmet either for that matter. People just kept doing stupid things until it couldn't be ignored any longer and the powers that be clamped down.

Ultralight aircraft; Same thing, no license, no insurance, little or no training. Stupidity took over and this time the Feds reigned them in. All that freedom is now a thing of the past.

Cellphones; As simple as they are to operate, people can't seem to remember that keeping the vehicle in control is much more important than yakkin etc.  And now, through constant stupidity another freedom is gone or at the very least, is being reduced.

Nope, don't think the rules and regs are going to stop, to many stupid ones screwin things up.  I could keep on for quite awhile with this but I won't....done bitchin.

 

slim wrote:

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If its so dangerous why do they still allow the person that hands you the ticket to do it ? Whats the problem with this picture ? Drive past the lockwood yard in hamilton and you will see 20 cop cars smashed to crap. So no they cant drive any better then the next guy. leed  by example or shut up . One more tax grab In your best interest as if they care whether you live or die .   

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 ditto slim. here it came up and the answer was they had training on how to do it. if thats the case why can't joe smuck take this course on how, on his own dime of course.

 don't get me wrong it should not be allowed but it should be across the board for everyone, period. i use on-star a bit but the cost sucks. blue tooth is available also. in the day i put on a couple of million miles with a c-b mic in my hand over 20yrs. today with the volume of traffic and the idiots on the road it would be suicide.

Talking about the smashed up cruisers,I just heard that the OPP have lost 40 cruisers this year due to people crashing into them during accident investigations. Ed

Want to stop texting and phoning while driving? Make the fine $1000 and CONFISCATE the offenders phone for 1 MONTH. That should do it!

toomuchjunk wrote:

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In London they are wanting to get "RED LIGHT" cameras. The fine would be over $300 now I don't like red light runners either but there is a grey area involved at intersections and light changes. Will there be a grace period.
With all these cameras will we need less police,police cars,radios,laptops?
TMJ

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 I would hope that anyone that gets a ticket would fight it in court . Hamilton has a bunch of these and its been a long time since I have seen one active. Just another scam that they hope you just pay the fine and don't question it. I say back up the courts Just to show up is going to cost them more than 300 even if you are found guilty. Running a red is a offence under the highway traffic act that comes with a set fine and demerit points. they can plea  it to a different offence before court but can not change or reduce it. your guilty or your not. hard to prove when they don't know who the driver is.

Wouldn't have a cell phone eh!!!!! My grandfather would never get in a car and I believe never did!!! I'm from New Brunswick and my grandfather was a farmer with a horse and buddy and that's how he got around!!! Me, I have a cell phone, Garmin, on-board computer and although not addicted, I use them for purposes that they were intended.
As for distracted driving, before cell phones, people have been seen reading letters, newspapers and books while driving. Women apply makeup, look through their purse and adjust clothing while driving. Lots of people are in La-La land when driving and it shows in how they drive. And then there is the aggressive driver with no manners!!!!
So, no matter how you look at it, we have progressed as a technology enhanced society with the same buffoons and idiots that ruin it for all of us!!!!!
I will enjoy all the new toys given to us and try to respect the law, but I hope the guilty ones are fined and the law is there to do it......(Tim Hortons not withstanding!!!!) Boots

I have a cell phone...somewhere. Kids hand me down I.. something  It costs me money even if I don't use it.

wife got me one years ago for emergencies.traveling to and from work I used it twice while at work just to see if it worked.the only problem I had I had it in the box with instructions for use and put spare reading glasses in so I could read instructions on how to use.the 2 calls I did make were in first week had it for 5 years.the problem I had was that by the time I would have read how to use I am sure I would have had a problem trying to remember what the hell I was calling for.with the technology today there should be an app that detects movement of phone at any speed above a brisk walk that shuts it off and slaps you in the head.

OK , so you HAD to mention red licorice didn't you ....and I'm fresh out ....... so now I have to get in the car ...and , and .........