Press Release
As of Monday (Feb. 1), police have begun issuing tickets for using hand-held cellphones and communications and entertainment devices while driving in Ontario.
Drivers caught using a hand-held device will be issued a $155 ticket.
Since the ban on hand-held devices became Ontario law on Oct. 26, 2009, the focus has been on educating drivers about Ontario’s new road rules for hand-held wireless communication and entertainment devices.
This education period gave drivers a chance to adjust to the new law.
The distracted driving law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial, or e-mail using hand-held cellphones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices.
Hands-free use of these devices is permitted.
The new law also prohibits the viewing of display screens unrelated to driving, such as laptop computers or DVD players.
Police, paramedics and firefighters, as well as some commercial drivers and public service workers, may continue to use certain hand-held devices when performing their duties. All drivers may use hand-held devices to call 9-1-1.
Since the ban on hand-held devices became Ontario law, the OPP has issued more than 3,300 warnings to drivers.
Studies show a driver using a cellphone is four times more likely to be in a crash than one focused on the road.
Dialing and texting carry the highest degree of risk of all cellphone-related activities.
If a driver challenges the ticket in court, a judge has the discretion to adjust the fine anywhere in the range of $60-$500.
