Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

Distracted driving

First Published:

[projekktor id=’27164′]

Researchers have found that when driving at 60 kilometres an hour, a driver trying to text just three characters can cover the length of a football field. And despite the amount of potential damage or death that could cause, it’s alarming to see just how many people continue to drive distracted. Phil Perkins took a ride with Halton Police and clarified what is and isn’t considered distracted driving and what they hope is a solution for this dangerous trend.

It took less than a minute for Constable Marc Taraso to catch a driver being ticketed for distracted driving.

When standing at a busy intersection, police say they can’t keep up with the number of drivers they catch on their phones.

At the side of the road, with a bike officer just up the street, they looked for people on their phones- and caught one just seconds later.

Ontario’s traffic law says that you can’t use any electronic handheld device while behind the wheel. But snacking, drinking coffee and fiddling with your car’s infotainment system is okay, as long as you stay focused on driving.

“If you start swerving in your lane or start making the roadway less dangerous for other people you can be charged with careless driving at that point.”

A careless driving conviction includes a $490 fine and six demerit points. That’s the same fine, but double the points, as distracted driving.

Last summer, the OPP reported that driving distracted caused twice as many fatalities as impaired driving. Constable Taraso hopes people start treating distracted drivers like those who had been drinking.

“Tell the drivers to stop doing it, to pull over to use their phone, or to let them out of the car because they don’t want any part of it.”

More Top News

Date set for inquest into death of man during Halton police shootout in 2018

A provincial coroner has set a date for an inquest into a man's death after a shootout with Halton police almost six years ago. Ahmadu...

Newsmakers: Preparing for the 2024 total solar eclipse with amateur astronomer Mario Carr

VIDEO: On this episode of Newsmakers, host Louie Butko is joined by "your favourite amateur astronomer" Mario Carr ahead of the total solar eclipse...

Sportsline: Hamilton Cardinals game-day host Emily Thompson

VIDEO: The role of the "in-game host" has become an important piece of the entertainment package that teams are selling to fans. On this...

St. Catharines man charged with 1st-degree murder in death of parents

A man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of his parents at a home in St. Catharines Monday afternoon. Emergency crews...

Ontario minimum wage to increase Oct. 1 to $17.20 an hour

Ontario's minimum wage will rise later this year to $17.20 an hour. The annual Oct. 1 increase is tied to inflation and is a boost...

Over 300K public sector workers earn more than $100K; OPG CEO tops the list

The five top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation, with the CEO earning $1.9 million last year. The so-called...

Poverty advocate and Hamilton’s mayor discuss encampments, housing crisis

On Wednesday, poverty advocate Angela Vos held a meeting with Hamilton's mayor Andrea Horwath to discuss housing and homelessness in Hamilton. The meeting follows a...