The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has added new rules and harsher penalties. There are 3 main changes.
- Increased fines for distracted driving
- Increased fines for dooring cyclists and new rules for driving around cyclists
- Moving over for tow trucks providing assistance
Distracted Driving
As of September 1st 2015 the fines and penalties for a fully licensed driver (class A,B,C,D,E,F,G) are:
- A fine of $400 + victim surcharge and court fee of $90 making total fine $490
- A fine of up to $1,000 if you receive a summons or fight your ticket
- Three demerit points applied to your driver’s record
If a novice driver (those subject to Graduated Licensing such as G1, G2) will be subject to the following:
- First occurrence will result in a 30 day license suspension
- Second occurrence will result in 90 day license suspension
- License cancellation and removal from the graduated licensing system for a third occurrence
- Novice drivers will not be subject to demerit points
While being convicted of distracted driving imposes harsh penalties, you may also be charged with careless driving if you endanger others because of the distraction. If convicted you will automatically receive:
- 6 demerit points
- Fines up to $2,000 and/or
- A jail term of 6 months
- Up to 2 year license suspension
- Being charged with dangerous driving can also result in jail terms of up to five years.
Driving Around Cyclists
Penalties for dooring a cyclist, referring to when a driver opens a parked car into the path of an oncoming cyclists or other traffic have peen toughened.
- A set fine of $365 including victim surcharge and court fees + 3 demerit points
- A fine up to $1,000 + three demerit points if you fight the charge in court and convicted Drivers must also keep a one meter (3 feet) distance between cyclists when passing
- Failure to do so will result in a set fine of $110
Slowing Down and Moving Over
In order to protect road side workers the law has been changed to include tow truck operators, which already includes police, firefighters and paramedics.
- Motorists must slow down where possible and move into another lane when a tow truck is stopped with amber lights flashing
- This law also applies to drivers when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with red or rend and blue lights flashing
- The set fine is $490 including victim fine surcharge and court fees for failure to slow down and move over
Convictions and Car Insurance
Please remember that any moving violation can affect the price you pay for insurance. Click below to get a quote on Toronto Car Insurance and car insurance across Ontario.