By now, you’ve likely heard that Ontario plans to amends its distracted driving laws.
Maximum penalties for distracted driving will be increased to a $1,000 fine and three demerit points, while the minimum fine will jump from $60 to $300.
But that’s far from the only change to the rules of the road announced this week.
Here are some others:
Drivers will be required to pull over for passing tow trucks with their amber lights activated, in addition to emergency vehicles
At pedestrian crossovers and school crossings, drivers must stop for the entire time a pedestrian is crossing
Drivers who don’t pay fines for speeding and other traffic tickets may not be able to renew their licence plates
Penalties for driving while impaired by drugs will mirror penalties for driving while impaired by alcohol
Drivers repeatedly caught driving impaired will be required to complete education, treatment and/or monitoring programs
Novice drivers convicted of distracted driving will be subject to driver’s license suspensions – or cancellation, should they be convicted a third time
All drivers are required to leave at least one metre when passing cyclists, if possible
Cyclists can legally use paved shoulders on unrestricted provincial highways
Fines for ‘dooring’ cyclists are now set between $300 and $1,000, rather than $60 and $500
The maximum fine for not using required lights and reflectors on bicycles is being raised from $20 to between $60 and $500
Cyclists can legally add flashing red lights to their bike
Drivers with medical suspensions can keep their driver’s licence card, for when they return to driving or to use as ID
Maximum length of B-train double-trailer trucks extended to 27.5 metres