From the OPP
The Rainy River District OPP would like to remind members of the public that using hand-held communication devices is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.
If you have an A, B, C, D, E, F, and/or G licence, you’ll face bigger penalties when convicted of distracted driving:
•a fine of $490, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee);
•a fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose; and
•three demerit points.
If you hold a G1, G2, M1, or M2 licence, and are convicted of distracted driving, you’ll face the same fines as drivers with A-G licences, but you won’t receive any demerit points.
Instead of demerit points, you’ll face:
•a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction;
•a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction; and
•cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction (to get your licence back, you’d have to redo the GLS program).
The Rainy River District OPP also would like to remind pedestrians that they are responsible to follow rules while walking on Ontario’s roadways.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, it is an offence to walk on the same side as traffic (i.e., walking facing the same direction as traffic).
This law is in place to protect pedestrians from being injured.
Members of the public are urged to ensure their activities are lawful, and more importantly, safe.
For more information on distracted driving, visit www.opp.ca
