drivers in ontario--bill 118 -- cell phones

[THE eXchanger]

- cell phone use while driving - BILL 118

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario carried Bill 118, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act now bans drivers from using handheld devices with display screens while operating a vehicle on the road. The bill has undergone several revisions during its consideration, but the new rules of the road will be as follows:

- Holding or using a wireless communication device (a cell phone) or a portable electronic entertainment device (iPod) while driving is prohibited.

- Commercial GPS units along with similar dashboard-mounted devices that provide gauges and displays relating to logistical or navigation uses are fine.

- Using a cell phone or wireless communication device in hands-free mode, as long as you're not holding it during use, is fine.

- Using any device while pulled-over or parked in a way that you are not disrupting traffic, is fine.

- The systems used by Ambulances, Fire Departments, and Law Enforcement are exempt.

The ban is in effect as of today, September 1 2009 and will carry a fine of $500. Demerit points will not be included, but depending upon the violation, police will have the option to also use existing careless driving laws for additional penalties.
+ xxx

[Northern Boy]

Bill 118, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act

Key words have been highlighted Acts and statutes are only applicable to Corporation`s not human beings . in a court of law somee one needs to have been harmed in order 4 u to be found guilty in this case there would be no one harmed unless you caused an accident while using it. There fore because in all likely hood you IF you knew what you were doing would be found not guilty or the charges would be dropped

[GaiaLove]

wow.. I thought Ontario was already on board with this law. Newfoundland passed theirs in '03 and Quebec in '08. I drive 40,000 km a year on avg and I beleive the law is a good one but it's hardly enforced here in Qc.

I think the manufacturer of BlueTooth are the lobbyists behind it

[Swanny]

I think it's good that you can't drive and use a mobile.
I see people trying to maneuver their cars with one hand stuck to the side of their head, idiots.

[TheObserver]

Yup, hang up and drive!

[Northern Boy]

Originally Posted by TheObserver

Yup, hang up and drive!

Just wondering why we should follow what they want they can talk on their radios just as hazardous as any of us using our phone`s why should they be special ? They are no different than me or do you see a difference where they have authority over you ? many people eat in their vehicle`s its the same thing basically

[THE eXchanger]

NOW, iT iS LAW

will likely save a lot of lives

[371]

This is law in many US states.

Not a huge deal, just another reason to get pulled over and written a ticket.

Funny thing too, is that 90% of the time when you see a cop while driving they've got a cell phone to their ear.



Real thing I think they should enforce strictly are the idiots who text message while driving. That is dangerous.

[sjkted]

Originally Posted by THE eXchanger

NOW, iT iS LAW

will likely save a lot of lives

It's not meant to save lives. It's meant to increase fines. In California, it's been law for almost a year and hardly anybody follows it. It does however give license to any cop to pull almost anyone over at any time for any reason.

--sjkted