Bill 31 Will Enforce Harsher Punishments for Distracted Drivers

Saturday, 29 August 2015 10:35

Demerit points could be added beginning September 1st for those caught using their cellphones while driving

OXFORD COUNTY - Effective September 1st those caught using devices while driving are going to have to pay up.

Bill 31 also known as the Making Ontario Roads Safer Act will go into forcing the public to focus on the roadway. Media Relations Officer with Woodstock Police, Nikki VanLeeuwen, provides an overview on what the new change will include. "If you get stopped for having a screen visible to driver, hand held communication device, or handheld entertainment device while you are operating a motor vehicle the fine is going to $490 total. They changed some cycling laws lighting on bicycles that fine went up, cyclists riding in crosswalks, and unsafe lane changes the fine has gone up in that as well." VanLeeuwen is hopeful this will be as successful as when they increased the penalties for driving without a seatbelt. Bill 31 also includes that motorists will have to give at least one metre of space when passing cyclists.

The implementation of Bill 31 may come as a shock to motorists throughout the area. Officer VanLeeuwen is hoping this will finally get the message across similar to when the fines were increased for not wearing a seatbelt. "Seatbelt fines for instance they increased substantially and now it is rare that we would see someone not wearing their seatbelt. I think that hitting someone in the pocket book does impact peoples decision on how they act when they are driving." Drivers will soon be required to wait until a pedestrian completely crosses the crosswalk before proceeding through.

Officer VanLeeuwen explains how this is the only way to get the message across. "Distracted driving it does kill people unfortunately people are not getting it, that's a big part of why the Ministry increases fines so it really hits the shock factor. For safe cyclists it is important while biking to watch and give themselves space when people are opening their door. We haven't really seen that as an issue in the city." New measures will also be taken to repeat impaired offenders when this comes into affect in less than one week.