1-800-964-0361
Today, more injury lawyers in Orillia are seeing clients who have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted or careless driver. Although operating any handheld device while driving is illegal, it is still one of the main causes of accidents on the road today, not to mention those particularly involving pedestrians and cyclists. We now know that a driver that is on a handheld device is four times as likely to cause an accident due to distraction. Collisions have now doubled since 2000. And in Ontario alone, a person dies at the hands of a distracted driver every 17 hours.
In Ontario, a distracted driver is one who is operating any handheld communication and electronic entertainment device while driving or viewing any display screen unrelated to driving. This can include:
● Talking on a cell phone while holding the device
● Texting
● Checking any device for maps or driving instructions
● Watching any type of entertainment
Just a moment of distraction can have serious consequences and can lead to life-threatening injuries and even death.
As of September, Ontario has decided to take distracted driving more seriously than ever before with new proposed laws. Under these new laws, Ontario will have the most serious penalties in Canada for repeat offenders of distracted driving.
These new laws are primarily to protect the more vulnerable of victims. The largest of these changes is to create a new offense of carelessness that results in bodily harm or death. Any convictions under this new law could carry substantial punishments depending on the number of previous convictions of distraction or carelessness. New rules for careless driving include:
● Fines up to $50,000
● A two to five-year license suspension
● Up to two years in jail
● Six demerit points
New rules for distracted driving include:
● Fines from $1.000 to $3,000
● Six demerit points for multiple offenses
● New drivers with a G1, G2, M1, or M2 license convicted of multiple distracted driving offenses could see their license completely canceled.
Today, Ontario is taking distracted driving and careless driving more seriously than ever. If you have been injured in an accident involving a distracted or careless driver, make sure you seek legal advice to ensure that your rights are being protected. There can be a case for negligence even if the driver is not charged by the police. It is always in your best interests to know what your legal rights are after an injury. Call a personal injury lawyer in Orillia to see if you are entitled to compensation.
At Makaronets Law, we offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to answer any questions you may have after an injury due to an accident.