(HURON COUNTY, ON) – It’s just a matter of hours into enforcing the “New Road Safety Rules” but Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers have already witnessed an increase in the number of drivers parked off the roadway in a safe spot using their cells phones. Officers expect this change in behaviour to be the new norm as the set fines for distracted driving have once again increased.
Effective today (September 1, 2015), police services across Ontario, including the Ontario Provincial Police will be enforcing updated and new road safety rules that were passed on June 2, 2015. The updated measures are aimed at keeping Ontarians and visitors safe on our roadways. Changes include: tougher penalties for distracted driving, new rules to protect cyclists and measures to ensure the safety of tow truck drivers and children riding school buses.
A closer look at some of the new penalties and rules are as follows:
Getting Tougher on Distracted Driving
Penalties for distracted driving will include an increased set fine of $490 (Previously the set fine was $280). Note: fines may be increased to a maximum of $1,000 in court. Also upon conviction, drivers will incur three demerit points. Novice drivers will receive a minimum 30-day suspension for a first conviction and longer suspensions for subsequent convictions.
Keeping Cyclists Safe
The “dooring” of cyclists will carry an increased set fine of $365 and three demerit points upon conviction. New rules also come into effect that requires drivers to leave a one-metre distance where possible when passing cyclists. The fine for this offence is $110 and two demerit points upon conviction. Cyclists that fail to use required bicycle lights and reflectors will face fines of $110. This is an increase from the previous $35 fine.
Moving over for Tow Trucks
Drivers must now slow down and move over when passing a tow truck stopped on the roadside providing assistance. Failing to do so can result in a set fine of $490.
Increased Threshold for Collision Reporting
The threshold at which property damage only collisions must be reported to police has been increased to $2,000 from $1,000. Drivers are reminded that all collisions involving injuries must be reported to police.
“Huron County OPP fully supports the new legislation aimed at keeping our roadways as safe as possible. These enhancements and new laws are important deterrents for those drivers that continue to take unnecessary risks and drive in an unsafe manner. Reducing the number of injuries and deaths on our roadways caused from distracted driving and aggressive driving remains a top priority for our Detachment members”