Hands free driving laws
DriverSense - Kevin Fleming
Many Canadian provinces and U.S. states are adopting hands free cell phone laws. This is what you, the driver, need to know.
It’s no secret that driving a vehicle while distracted is incredibly dangerous to both you and other drivers on the road. One major distraction that has crept up on lawmakers throughout Canada and the United States is the cell phone. Cell phones do indeed make our lives easier is countless ways, but there is a time and a place for such convenience. It is not a convenience that one should abuse while behind the wheel. We need our full wits about us when driving and, needless to say, governments in many provinces and states have taken action in this regard. This is what you need to know about hands free driving laws in Canada.
What’s So Bad About Talking Or Texting While Driving?
Before discussing hands free laws, we first need to take a look at what effect a lack of attention on roadways has. A rather informative research paper by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) reveals a lot about what occurs to a driver when they are too concerned with their cell phones. Specifically, the OMA points out that cell phone use while driving contributes to a reduced field of vision, inconsistent speed, safe following distance infractions, delayed braking and lack of a full response to stoplight changes. On top of those reasons, the OMA also found that drivers who paid more attention to their cell phones tended not to pay attention to their mirrors, experienced a lack of stoplight inspection and did more hard braking.
Plainly, the dangers of paying too much attention to your cell phone while driving are numerous and quite real. Even though it is not mentioned, the most obvious danger of cell phone use while driving is the potential to cause an accident.
Canadian Law
Currently, there is not a widespread Canadian law governing the use of cell phones while driving. However, a few provinces have taken the initial step to curb cell phone usage while driving. The provinces that have made it illegal to talk or text while driving are Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador and Nova Scotia. In other words, if you are caught talking or texting while driving, you may face a potentially stiff fine and points on your driver’s license.
The next province to officially ban the use of cell phones while driving is Ontario (along with emailing, watching DVDs, playing with video games and operating MP3 devices). The law was recently passed in April, but it does not take effect until November. Once November comes around though, drivers caught breaking this law can be subject to a maximum fine of $500 (CAN). Under the current configuration, there will be no points charged to one’s license, but if you are found to be endangering others on the road (or off), you can face a maximum fine of $1000 (CAN) and six points added to your license.
What Do I Do?
Seeing that many provinces are now cracking down on cell phone usage while driving, you, the driver now have to take action. I know that it may seem like an ingrained habit to talk or text while driving, but there are safer alternatives that are in line with the law.
Use the speakerphone. Almost all modern cell phones have a speakerphone function, which can be activated at the touch of a button. If that is not your style, check out your cell phone a bit more to see if it has Bluetooth technology included in it. If your phone has Bluetooth, go out and spend a little money on a hands-free earpiece. They are simple little devices that fit into your ear and connect with ease to your phone. If your phone does not have Bluetooth, it most likely came with a 'wired' earpiece that hooks up to your phone via a small jack on the side or bottom of it. It may not be as convenient as a Bluetooth device, but it works.
If none of those options fit your needs, do the simple and right thing if you have to make or take a call. Pull over somewhere convenient and then deal with the cell phone.
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