Fines kick in today for people using hand-held devices while driving
Posted February 1, 2010 7:05 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The three-month grace period ended, Monday, for Ontario motorists who talk on cell phones or use any other hand-held devices while driving.
Police will no longer be issuing warnings and will stop and ticket violators.
The fine for talking on a cell phone, texting or using hand-held devices while driving will cost a minimum of $155.
Paul, who commutes in from Milton, Ont., every morning said he hopes police will be strict with anyone who ignores this new law.
“A two-tonne, three-tonne vehicle, that could be a killing machine. You have to watch what you’re doing […] anybody that’s caught, I don’t even think $155 is stiff enough,” Paul said.
The only way drivers can manually dial or text behind the wheel is if their vehicle is legally parked. The same goes for anyone using a hand-held GPS unit or MP3 player.
Drivers will only be able to use hands-free communication devices, audio players plugged into the main stereo, or GPS systems securely positioned on the dashboard.
