According to Ontario’s official estimates, the number of deaths from road accidents caused by distracted driving has doubled since 2000. Every half an hour, a person in Ontario sustains a personal injury in a road accident due to someone else’s distracted driving.
To curtail the problem of distracted driving and improve the road safety of every citizen, the Ontario government has strict laws in place. Therefore, it’s important for all drivers to fully understand the consequences and causes of distracted driving before getting behind the steering wheel.
And if you have unfortunately already suffered an injury in a road collision resulting from distracted driving, your best bet is to call a top lawyer in Ontario and discuss your personal injury claim.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving, also called careless driving in Ontario’s laws, is the practice where the driver is paying attention to anything other than the road. This distraction can be caused by using a mobile phone, eating, drinking, or setting a GPS/radio while driving.
Causes of Distracted Driving
There are generally three types of causes of distracted driving:
- Visual: Looking away from the road (for example using a mobile phone)
- Manual: Letting go of the steering wheel (for example to eat/drink)
- Cognitive: Not paying attention while driving (for example attending a call or talking to a passenger)
Ontario Distracted Driving Laws
The Ontario government has strict laws against distracted driving. Holding a mobile phone or any other communication device while driving is illegal in Ontario. Similarly, touching GPS devices while driving is also illegal. While Ontario does not say that eating or drinking while driving is illegal, it can be considered a careless driving practice.
Consequences of Distracted Driving
There are two types of distracted driving penalties:
- Careless Driving: A minimum fine of $615, driving suspension of up to 90 days, and a point’s demerit.
- Dangerous Driving: Instead of civil litigation, criminal charges, heavy fines, and jail term.
What to Do If You’re Injured Due to Someone’s Distracted Driving?
In case you have been in a road accident that resulted because of distracted driving, you file a personal injury claim. To get started, hire a personal injury lawyer in Toronto from our law firm Nanda and Associate Lawyers.
We also have experienced family lawyers, immigration lawyers, and estate litigation lawyers. Contact us here or book a consultation to discuss your personal injury cases, Canadian immigration, and real estate matters.
