Five new rules of the road, among several changes under the province’s of Canada making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, take effect in Ontario on Tuesday September 1 2015.
As of September 1, 2015 the fines and penalties for distracted driving will increase.
If convicted of distracted driving, in Ontario a fully licensed driver (holder of Class A, B, C, D, E, F, G) or a hybrid driver (holder of a full-class license and a novice license such as Class G and M1) will receive these penalties if caught:
- a fine of $400, plus a victim surcharge and court fee, for a total of $490 if settled out of court
- fine of up to $1,000 if you receive a summons or fight your ticket
- three demerit points applied to your driver’s record
If convicted of distracted driving, a novice driver (subject to the Graduated Licensing program) will be subject to escalating sanctions:
- first occurrence will result in a 30-day license suspension
- second occurrence will result in 90-day license suspension
- license cancellation and removal from the Graduated Licensing System for a third occurrence
