What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that can divert a person’s attention away from driving. According to researchers, distracted driving comes in 3 distinct forms:
- Visual distraction: Taking one's eyes off the road
- Mechanical: Taking one's hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: When the brain is not focused on driving, the mind ‘wanders’
Examples of distracted driving include:
- Eating or drinking, especially food that needs to be unwrapped or adjusted
- Texting or calling someone using your cell phone
- Reaching for something that’s fallen on the floor of the car or reaching for a pet
- Smoking or personal grooming while in the car
- Playing extremely loud music
- Fatigued physically or mentally
Some of these distracted driving examples involve all 3 types of distractions outlined above. However, it is important to remember that distracted driving is preventable. As a result, it is a matter of choice. If every driver in Thunder Bay does their part to maintain focus on driving and avoids the different distracters to driving, countless collisions, injuries, health care costs and lives can be saved.
Know the Law
In Ontario, distracted driving laws make it illegal to do the following:
- Use a phone to talk, email, text (send and read messages), check maps or even check the time while driving.
- Eating, drinking or simply holding a phone or other devices while driving.
You can use the following while driving legally:
- Hands-free use of devices such as Bluetooth, only to turn it on and off
- Secured devices such a phone cradle
Penalties for G licenses:
- Fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)
- Fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
- Three demerit points
- 3-day license suspension
For more information for A to G licenses and novice drivers, visit the Ministry of Transportation's Distracted Driving.
Non-legal Consequences
Insurers break down driving infractions typically into three types of categories: minor, major, and criminal. In regards to distracted driving:
- Distracted driving is NOT a minor conviction, it is almost always a major conviction. Major convictions have serious consequences to your insurance policy, and insurance premiums.
- Many of the standard insurance companies will be unable to sign on a new business with a major conviction. This means if a major conviction is charged, the driver would more than likely have to go to a high-risk market until the conviction is stricken from their record. This can result in extremely large increases in premiums.
- Some standard insurance companies may be able to offer a renewal with one major conviction if the insured has no other at-fault accidents or convictions. Some insurance companies offer an endorsement called the “minor conviction protection endorsement." For a small fee (~$30-$40 per driver per year), if a minor conviction is charged, and if the insurance company ran the driver's report and found it, they will not rate for it. However, if the driver purchased the aforementioned “minor conviction protection endorsement," they would be unable to use it (hence the “minor” conviction protection, not “major”). No insurance companies offer a “major” conviction protection endorsement. This means the driver would lose their conviction-free discount (~20%) and may no longer qualify for a preferred driving record which translates into a large premium increase.
- Major convictions stay on a driver's record for 3 years from the conviction date just like a minor conviction.
For more information on this, please visit: A complete list of driving infractions and how they impact insurance in Ontario
Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving
- Turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode before entering the car
- Disconnect from other devices: Un-sync your phone from any other device that would send you a text alert such as fitness tracker or monitor in the car.
- Stow away your phone: Place the phone where you will not be tempted to pick it up e.g. glove compartment or center console
- If you must send someone a message, text before getting into the car
- For directions, pre-program the GPS before getting into your car to know your route
- Set up an automated response to let the person messaging you know you are driving. Learn how to do so for both Android and iPhone devices
- If you have a passenger in the car, you can let them reply to the text for you
- Don’t eat and drive: avoid eating and drinking, especially when the food requires unwrapping
Videos
For Further Information
Call the Injury Prevention & Substance Use Program: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630