THUNDER BAY – Getting caught using a cellphone while driving is about to get a lot more expensive.
The provincial government passed the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act on Tuesday, which includes raising the fines for distracted driving from the current range of $60 to $500 up to a range of $300 and $1,000, along with three demerit points.
The Ministry of Transportation said if current collision trends continue, the number of distracted driving deaths will surpass drinking and driving.
Other changes in the act include making the same standards for alcohol impairment to drug impairment, as well as adding additional measures for repeat drunk drivers.
Drivers also will have to wait until pedestrians completely cross the road before proceeding at school crossings and pedestrian crossovers, as well as increased fines and demerits for drivers who hit cyclists with their doors.
The changes will take effect over the next few months.
