Causes and Consequences of Distracted Driving

One of the main causes of auto accidents in cities like Brantford, Cambridge, Hamilton, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area is distracted driving.  In fact, recent statistics have shown that accidents and injuries resulting from distracted driving now exceeds those that are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Cyclists and pedestrians have also sustained injuries at the hands of distracted drivers.  Needless to say, motor vehicle drivers fail to understand the damage that can be done when they are distracted while driving. And that is one of the leading causes for personal injury claims.

Definition of Distracted Driving

Basically, when a motorist drives without paying attention to the road and other vehicles around them, this is referred to as “distracted driving” and is viewed as impaired driving.  When your driving is impaired, your judgment along with your reaction time is adversely affected.  For instance, if you are paying attention to something other than the road while you are driving, then you are probably distracted and not exercising the proper amount of caution that you should be.

Ontario Laws regarding Distracted Driving

There are very specific laws prohibiting distracted driving in in Brantford, Cambridge, Hamilton, and other cities throughout Ontario Province.  It is illegal to look at or use any monitor or screen that is unrelated to driving a motor vehicle or to use any type of hand-held device.  As a result, you cannot use a hand-held GPS but you can if it is a mounted device.  Furthermore, you are not allowed to do the following:

  • hold an MP3 player
  • hold and use a cellphone
  • text on your cellphone
  • view a DVD screen
  • view a laptop

According to the Distracted Driving Law of Ontario Province, you can be fined and/or jailed if you are convicted of distracted driving and even have your driving privileges revoked.  Additionally, if you can be held accountable (liable) and sued in court for damages and losses if your distracted driving causes an accident.

What causes Drivers to be distracted?

In the cities of Brantford, Cambridge, Hamilton, and throughout the GTA, Ontario’s laws regarding distracted driving apply to the use of any hand-held device or viewing monitors and screens, there are other forms of this to be aware of.  The following are 3 of the most common types of distractions:

Cellphone use – talking and texting are major causes of accidents and even though you are allowed the use of Bluetooth headsets, they can be distracting and cause accidents.

Drinking and eating – if your focus is on one or both of these, then you are obviously not focused on the road and vehicles around you.

Lost in thought or daydreaming – thinking about something other than driving is a form of distracted driving as well.  This could delay your reaction time when a dangerous situation arises and may cause you to get in an accident.