Ontario to Outlaw Texting in Traffic

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somedeafdudefromPNW

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Source: CBC News - Technology & Science - Ontario to outlaw texting in traffic

Ontario to outlaw texting in traffic
By CBC News
Starting Monday it will be illegal in Ontario to text or talk on a hand-held device while driving.

It will soon be illegal in Ontario to text or talk on a hand-held cellphone or any other device while driving.

The new law comes into effect on Oct. 26.

The province's Ministry of Transport pushed for the ban citing statistics that showed driver distraction is a factor in 20 per cent of traffic accidents.

The new law means drivers who use their fingers to dial cellphones or send text messages will be liable for a maximum fine of $500.

The province says it won't start handing out tickets until Feb. 1 ? until then police will just be giving drivers a warning.

Toronto taxi driver Ravi Singh spends more than eight hours a day in his car.

He's been driving the streets of Toronto for more than a decade and has seen his share of drivers distracted by technology. He says its easy to tell which ones are holding a cellphones while driving.

"Every time a person is trying to make a left with no signal, you know, that person is on a cellphone," said Singh.
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The hand-held ban means Singh will have to upgrade his own cellphone so it's compatible with hands-free technology, but he says he'll gladly do it in the name of safety.

"That's a pain in the neck, but you know what, you got to obey the law and the law is good. On the whole it's going to benefit everybody," he said.

For others, the change in the law has meant an increase in business ? especially stores that sell hands-free devices.

Bill Edmonds, who sells electronics in downtown Toronto, says the Bluetooth system which operates by using voice commands, is a popular item.

Over the past month, he says, they've been flying off the shelves.

"It's just been insane the last three or four weeks," said Edmonds. "We were selling a lot before but now there is a sense of urgency, people are saying I have to have this, not I want this anymore."

Ontario now joins more than 50 countries and jurisdictions around the world that have banned cellphone use while driving ? including Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Similar legislation has been introduced in British Columbia.
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Argh, wrong section. Maybe if a certain someone doesn't keep throwing the ball into the "General Chat" instead of "Political News," then I wouldn't had assumed this was the right place when browsing the "New Posts" feature of the forum.

Move to "Current News," please.

:ty:
 
souggy said:
Argh, wrong section. Maybe if a certain someone doesn't keep throwing the ball into the "General Chat" instead of "Political News," then I wouldn't had assumed this was the right place when browsing the "New Posts" feature of the forum.

Move to "Current News," please.

:ty:
Click to expand...

Done.
 
Only law in my city outlaws cell phones in school zones. It's a start. No texting while driving should be a no-brainer policy. Glad that it's getting some attention.
 
Very good news! It's illegal to use mobile phones while driving here, and I'm not sure about texting specifically but it would count as driving without due care and attention if something happened. A young girl in her 20's was convicted a while ago for texting while driving- she crashed into another car and the occupants were killed.

Having said that, there was an article in a UK paper a while ago about someone who had been told they were driving without due care and attention, because they were eating an apple at a traffic light. I think if you're going to go that far, at least include smoking while driving as an offence! Now, I haven't passed my test, and I was never a chain-smoker, but I used to smoke, and take driving lessons, and there's no way I could have done both at the same time!
 
I am glad this is now a law in my province. :) Driving while texting is just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
 
Now if they can just do it right here in Indiana. There's been bills in the Indiana house that never saw the light of day and it's getting more and more frustrating that not one single bill is even being looked at.

C'on people, we need safe roads, NOW! These lawmakers don't understand how dangerous is to be talking or even worse texting on their cell phones. When people are driving, they need to have their undivided attention on the road. A one second mistake is enough to create a disaster on the road with lives hanging at the balance.

Talking and texting creates too much distraction and not enough attention being made to what's going on around them.

I have had too many near hits on the road because they're not paying attention to their surroundings.

Aggravating, I tell you.

Yiz
 
I'm in favor of this law. I've never been for using cellphones and texting while driving.
 
yizuman said:
Now if they can just do it right here in Indiana. There's been bills in the Indiana house that never saw the light of day and it's getting more and more frustrating that not one single bill is even being looked at.

C'on people, we need safe roads, NOW! These lawmakers don't understand how dangerous is to be talking or even worse texting on their cell phones. When people are driving, they need to have their undivided attention on the road. A one second mistake is enough to create a disaster on the road with lives hanging at the balance.

Talking and texting creates too much distraction and not enough attention being made to what's going on around them.

I have had too many near hits on the road because they're not paying attention to their surroundings.

Aggravating, I tell you.

Yiz
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Yea, my bf was usin' his cell phone while drivin'. I was in the passenger seat besided him. It really bugged me to see him dialin' on his cell phone who ever he calls to. I kept tellin' him to stop callin' while drivin' because, of our safety. I noticed he wasn't payin' attention on the road a few times. Gee, it really makes me nervous about gettin' hit from other drivers or himself. I can use text on my cell phone while in the passenger seat, but not when I drive!
 
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