Toronto Police launch ‘Don’t Drive Distracted’ campaign
Posted February 11, 2013 6:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have launched the “Don’t Drive Distracted” campaign, Monday, to highlight the dangerous activities associated with drivers who continue to use hand-held devices while driving.
Provincial legislation has been in effect since October 26, 2009, focusing on educating drivers about Ontario’s new road laws and creating specific offences for these types of dangerous driving behaviours.
Legislation states that drivers can only use wireless devices which can be used in a hands-free manner.
This includes:
- A cell phone with an earpiece or headset, which uses voice dialing or is plugged into the vehicle’s sound system.
- A global positioning system (GPS) device which is properly secured to the dashboard or another accessible place in the vehicle.
- A portable audio player plugged into the vehicle’s sound system.
911 calls, however, are permitted under the laws.
Police note that other distractions can also contribute to distracted driving. These include eating while behind the wheel, driving with an unsecured pet, slowing down to look at a collision scene, or putting on makeup or brushing your hair.
The initiative wraps up on Sunday, February 17.
