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For the past sixteen years, Ontario’s roads have been consistently some of the safest in North America. But over the years, we have seen the influx of handheld devices on the market — and in the hands — of today’s population, including drivers. Even though operating a vehicle while using a handheld device is illegal in Ontario, Hamilton injury lawyers are still seeing a huge amount of accidents and injury claims resulting from distracted drivers. In Ontario alone, collisions resulting in death have doubled since the beginning of the decade. In Ontario, it is felt that new stronger measures must be taken against distracted and impaired drivers.
In September, the government announced that it would be cracking down on incidents involving distracted or careless drivers by enacting tougher new laws and penalties. These new rules would focus on protecting more vulnerable victims of accidents such as cyclists and pedestrians as these individuals are more at risk from distracted and careless drivers. These new measures include:
● New offenses against careless driving that results in bodily harm or death that will include more severe fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
● More severe penalties for distracted drivers using handheld devices including higher fines, more demerit points, and license suspensions.
● More penalties for those drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians with particular attention to those who are convicted of multiple offenses.
The biggest change would be creating an entirely new offense of careless driver that results in death or bodily harm. Anyone convicted under this new offense could be fined up to $50,000, see a five-year suspension of their license and could even face up to two years in jail. Drivers who were previously fined after a conviction will now face suspension and escalate in fines and jail time accordingly.
Over and above these new rules, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is also suggesting amendments to increase penalties for impaired driving which will expand on the existing zero tolerance rules for drugs and alcohol. This expansion will now include commercial drivers, drivers under the age of 21, and new drivers.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of an accident involving a distracted or careless driver, make sure your rights are being protected. Even when a driver is not charged by the police, there is still often a case of negligence. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Hamilton to see if you are entitled to compensation. Call the legal experts at APC Law for a no-obligation consultation. We can offer advice after an accident involving a distracted driver.