Saugeen Shores, Ontario Canada
For EMERGENCIES call 9-1-1   Police Station: 519-832-2500

New Distracted Driving Penalties - January 2019

October 15, 2018

Distracted Driving – Media Release – October 15th, 2018

On January 1st, 2019 the penalties for distracted driving are increasing.  Since 2009 Ontario motorists have been prohibited from using hand held communication devices.  Statistics have proven that the use of such devices greatly increase the chance of being involved in a collision. 

In response to this the province has imposed escalating sanctions throughout the years.  Currently if caught using a hand held device an offender can expect a $490 fine and three demerit points.

The new escalating sanctions include increased fines and a suspension of your driver’s licence upon conviction. The officer will not have the option of simply issuing a ticket at the roadside, as of the New Year the offender will receive a summons with a court date where fines for a first offence can be high as $1000.

The Saugeen Shores Police will be conducting an ongoing campaign through education and enforcement until the New Year.  Motorists will see our officers posted throughout Saugeen Shores in reflective gear on foot enforcing distracted driving laws at intersections and other designated areas.

New Penalties Starting January 1st, 2019

If you have an A, B, C, D, E, F and/or G licence

For your first conviction:

•             fine of up to $1,000
•             three demerit points
•             three-day day driver’s licence suspension

For your second conviction within 5 years:

•             fine of up to $2,000
•             six demerit points
•             seven-day driver’s licence suspension

For your third and all subsequent convictions within 5 years:

•             fine of up to $3,000
•             six demerit points
•             30-day driver’s licence suspension

Novice drivers

Effective January 1, 2019, if you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, and are convicted of distracted driving, you’ll face the same escalating fines as drivers with A to G licences but you won’t receive any demerit points.

•             Instead of demerit points you’ll face:
•             30-day licence suspension for a first conviction
•             90-day licence suspension for a second conviction
•             cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction

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