OPP Laying Numerous Cellphone Charges before February 1, 2010
Posted by Admin in Driving NewsUpdate: See previous posts: Cell Phone Ban effective October 26, 2009 on Ontario’s highways, streets & roads. , Restrictions on Cell Phones in Motor Vehicles
Based on the News Release, in the Ontario Government’s website, picturing the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Jim Bradley, it clearly states: “Today marks the beginning of a three-month period that will focus on educating drivers about Ontario’s new road rules for hand-held wireless communication and entertainment devices. Following the education period, police will begin issuing tickets on February 1, 2010, with fines of up to $500.”
There was a commitment from the Provincial Liberal Government, wherein motor vehicle operator’s were aware that a three (3) month grace period (a period where education on Bill 118 was to be conducted) between October 26, 2009 and January 31, 2010, followed by charges to be laid effective Monday, February 1, 2010 – not before!
Apparently the O.P.P. didn’t read the Ontario Provincial Government’s news release (as seen below) or any of the media’s/blogger’s reports on this important issue. The Ontario Provincial Police (the “OPP”) in addition to issuing about 2,400 warnings to motorists, have laid about fifty (50) charges under the cellphone ban law ( Bill 118 ).
Based on these numbers, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to conclude that the OPP will lay about 100 charges under the cellphone ban bill, during the “education or grace period”, which ends on January 31, 2010.
Watch yourselves, the Constitution doesn’t seem to dampen their enthusiasm (with regard to two (2) rulings from different judges on the laws surrounding “stunt driving”) about charging motorists and apparently, neither does a commitment to the Province’s motor vehicle operators from the majority government’s Ministry of Transporation.
In the Ontario “Newsroom” webpage, which releases news releases, the following can be found:
Ban On Hand-Held Devices Now Ontario Law
On October 26, 2009 12:15 PM
McGuinty Government Makes Roads Safer By Countering Distracted Driving
It’s now the law – the use of hand-held cell phones and other wireless devices while driving is prohibited in Ontario.
The new distracted driving law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices. Hands-free use of these devices will still be permitted.
Today marks the beginning of a three-month period that will focus on educating drivers about Ontario’s new road rules for hand-held wireless communication and entertainment devices. Following the education period, police will begin issuing tickets on February 1, 2010, with fines of up to $500.
Police, paramedics and firefighters, as well as some commercial drivers and public service workers may continue to use certain hand-held devices when performing their duties. All drivers may use hand-held devices to call 9-1-1.
February 1, 2010 update (O.P.P. lay 64 charges, while warning 3,260 drivers since the education/grace period began on October 26, 2009).
April 2, 2010 – Hands-free conversations aren’t safe – see U.S. National Safety Council (cell phone fact sheet and Press Release) and Toronto Star story.
