Texting while Driving continues despite the well-documented Dangers

Distracted driving, including using a handheld device to talk, text, or send and receive email is illegal in Ontario. Incidences of distracted driving are projected to overtake impaired driving as Ontario's number one cause of automobile accidents and related fatalities when statistics are published for 2016. A report from Dr. Heather Manson, chief of health promotion, chronic disease and injury prevention at Public Health Ontario (PHO) has found that while most young adults are aware of the risks of and laws against using their smartphones many, if not most, of them do it anyway.

Results of the PHO Study

The survey was conducted online and asked young adults in Ontario, aged 16-24, if they had ever texted while driving. Only 30% admitted using a handheld device while driving, however, most thought that "everyone is doing it" despite knowing that it is dangerous and against the law. Interestingly enough, about 57% of those surveyed admitted a belief that texting while driving is dangerous, but only 31% indicated that reading a text is dangerous.  This statistic explains why more young people admitted to reading texts while driving, versus sending texts. 

The Hazards of Distracted Driving

The very real risk of an accident when a driver is distracted is now well documented in many international studies.  In a CBC news article posted on Mar 13, 2016, it was predicted that texting will soon become the number one cause of teen deaths.

A car accident can so easily occur when a driver takes their eyes and attention away from the street or highway for only a split second or two. For a driver traveling at 55 miles per hour, for every second they look away from the highway the needed reaction time is increased by approximately 300 feet. This poses a substantial safety risk if one is required to stop at a stop sign or red light ahead or negotiate a curve ahead. A driver can easily miss a traffic notification of a reduced speed limit or a warning of an upcoming hazard, such as a closed lane due to road construction or a sharp curve in the road, if they are looking away, even briefly, and not paying exclusive attention to driving. Some of the potential dangerous outcomes of taking your attention off the road includes losing control on a curve in the road, rear-ending a slowed or stopped vehicle, or striking a cyclist or pedestrian who is lawfully walking on the road shoulder or crossing the street.

Distracted Driving Statistics

According to a CAA report on Distracted Driving, "Drivers engaged in text messaging on a handheld device are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash event compared with non-distracted drivers, and a distraction while driving is reported in over 4 million motor vehicle accidents per year in North America.” Further, about 20-30 percent of all motor vehicle collisions admit distracted driving was a contributing factor.

Distracted Driving Penalties Increased

In 2009, Ontario banned the use of handheld devices while driving. In 2014, a public awareness campaign attempted to educate the public of the risks associated with this type of distracted driving. Recently the Ontario legislature voted to increase the penalties for those who talk, text, or read and send email from a handheld device, increasing the fine to a range of $300 to $1,000 and adding three demerit points. This is up from $60 to $500 per incident. Unlike the penalty for impaired driving, at this time this offence carries no mandatory jail time.  A novice or young driver (who does not yet have a full ‘G’ license) faces a 30-day suspension of their driving privileges for a first conviction for distracted driving.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident due to a distracted driver who was using a handheld device while driving, you are entitled to file a civil suit for damages. Call Injury Lawyers of Ontario (ILO) to schedule a no-obligation consultation, to discuss the unique circumstances of your accident and learn about your options for obtaining fair compensation for your losses. Anyone who suffered a serious injury at the hands of a negligent driver is entitled to damages, including losses such as lost income (past and future), medical expenses, cost of future care, family expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses arising from the accident. Call an ILO personal injury lawyer today to find out how we can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. 

Sources:  http://distracteddriving.caa.ca/education/

 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/About/Newsroom/Pages/Texting-while-driving.aspx#.VwwJFfkrLIU