A driver in Oxford County started the new year with a hard lesson about the province's new, tougher distracted driving laws.
The OPP stopped a vehicle along Highway 2, just south of Highway 401 on Tuesday, just hours after the new legislation aimed at discouraging motorists from using their handheld devices while behind the wheel came into force. The driver became the first in Oxford to be charged with the stiffer distracted driving offence.
The new rules which increase the penalties for distracted driving came into effect on the first day of 2019. Drivers busted using their handheld devices face a $1,000 fine, three demerit points, and a three-day licence suspension. If settled out of court the fine for a first offence is lowered to $615. Penalties increase with each distracted driving conviction.
"These new penalties are the direct result of needless tragedies," said OPP Staff Sergeant Brian Knowler. "Distracted driving continues to be one of the biggest threats on Ontario roadways, and all road users have a part to play in road safety efforts."
Those with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence who are caught using handheld devices while driving face the same fines as other drivers, but are given longer licence suspensions as opposed to demerit points.
Deaths related to distracted driving have doubled since 2000, according to the Ontario Government, with one person injured in a distracted-driving collision every half hour.
Before Tuesday, a conviction for distracted driving brought a $500 fine and three demerit points. There were no escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
