Teens texting and driving

It could soon cost you a lot more if you’re caught using a handheld device while you’re behind the wheel.

Before the last government was dissolved, there was legislation on the table that would increase the $280 fine for distracted driving and include demerit points. Today the premier said the government would re-introduce that bill, especially in light of a new report from the centre for addiction and mental health,

Ads that show the dangers of texting and driving are more common.

“It’s like a big advertisement thing now, you see a lot more of it than you did before.”

These 17-year olds say the message is getting through.

“Honestly, I’m too nervous, I only have my G1 so I’m still trying to pay attention to everything, never mind my phone at the same time.”

But they’re not surprised a study says one in three teens their age do take their eyes off the road to look at screens.

“People in our generation are so obsessed with their phones, whether it’s changing music while they’re driving or sending a text to their friends, it’s probably normal. When we’re driving it’s hard to put it away for that long.

Sgt. Jacquie Fuentes: “It’s very hard to explain to them that all they need to do is put it in the back seat or glove box. Suggesting that would be akin to losing an arm sometimes.

Sgt. Fuentes often stands at this St. Catharines intersection, hiding behind shrubbery, because so many drivers think it’s OK to pick up their phone when they’re stopped: “When I’m doing a project here with three other officers, we keep busy. We definitely keep busy.”

“It doesn’t matter what kind of device you have, if you’re driving, it can’t be in your hand. Even if you’re stopped at a light. And if you’re on the highway, you can’t just pull over to the side to send a message.”

Dramatically fewer teens have been drinking and driving over the past 20 years, and these girls would never get in a car if they knew the driver was under the influence. But if a friend starts texting while driving — they don’t think to complain.

“It’s something we definitely should be like, hey you shouldn’t do that.”

The teens told me adding demerit points to the distracted driving charge would be a big incentive to follow the law — they say it’s way harder to get those back than money, especially as young drivers. The fines would go up to $1,000 from $280 so that’s something more to consider.