Earlier this year, the Toronto Car Accident lawyers at Cariati Law helped to spread the word about a weeklong campaign launched by Ontario Provincial Police aimed at cracking down on the dangers of distracted driving. Despite these numerous campaigns by Police and other interest groups, it appears that driver distraction and inattention remain a very serious problem on Ontario’s roadways. It is critical that all motorists in Ontario and Toronto understand the risks and dangers associated with the reckless and negligent practice of distracted driving.
Tragically, the OPP are reporting that June of 2015 was one of the deadliest months on record in terms of motor vehicle fatalities in Ontario. A total of 38 drivers died in vehicle crashes involving distracted driving during the month of June.
Distracted driving remains one of the biggest culprits of preventable motor vehicle accidents in Ontario, and lawmakers are responding by increasing the fines and penalties for this reckless practice. On Tuesday, June 2nd, Ontario lawmakers unanimously voted to pass a new update of the Highway Traffic Act that will enforce steeper penalties for perpetrators of distracted driving.
The monetary penalty for a first distracted driving offense will increase dramatically, jumping from $60 to $500, to anywhere between $300 and $1,000. In addition to the steep fines, drivers will also receive three demerit points on their license if found guilty of using a mobile device behind the wheel.
All drivers in Ontario, and especially the younger motorists that are just getting accustomed to being on the road, must familiarize themselves with just how dangerous and deadly taking their eyes off the road to answer a call, text or email can be. Here are some extremely concerning statistics about distracted driving in Ontario:
- A 2014 survey found that more than 1 out of every 3 licensed Ontario students in Grades 10 to 12 admitted to texting and driving at least once in the previous year.
- In 2013, the OPP found that distracted driving caused more driver fatalities than both impaired driving and speeding.
- Driver distraction accounts for approximately 4 million motor vehicle accidents in North America every year.
At Cariati Law, Toronto Car Accident and Personal Injury law firm, we urge all of our clients, friends and neighbors to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Never use your phone while operating a motor vehicle, and keep your mobile devices on silent until you reach your destination. Whatever phone call, email or text message you may be tempted to respond to, please remember that it can wait until you arrive at your destination safely.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of motor vehicle accident that was caused through no fault of your own, trust the experienced Toronto, Ontario Personal Injury lawyers of Cariati Law to handle your case from start to finish. At Cariati Law, we pledge to handle you serious injury case with the utmost dedication, compassion and discretion.
Call Cariati Law today at 905-629-8040 for a FREE, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. Your case and your injuries are serious to us. At Cariati Law, Toronto injury law firm, we are here for you.
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