Crackdown on distracted Ontario drivers begins February 13

The Ontario Provincial Police is reminding motorists that they'll be heightening their presence on the area's roadways as it wraps up its latest distracted driving awareness campaign.

Sporadically over the past several months, the OPP has conducted anti-distracted driving enforcement efforts, with the latest one taking place between February 13 and February 19.

Provincial authorities say that while they will be particularly watchful for motorists using cellphones and other handheld electronic devices, they will also be on the lookout for other forms of distracted driving, as what may seem like innocuous activities - such as eating or brushing one's hair - can have dangerous consequences.

Don Bell, commander of the OPP Highway Safety Division, said this has been evidenced by the number of accidents since January that have stemmed from drivers not giving their full attention to the road.

"We're only five weeks into the new year and eight people have died already in distraction-related collisions on OPP patrolled roads and that's more than impaired driving and speeding fatalities combined," said Bell. "Whether you're texting, talking, reading or shaving, a diversion - any diversion of attention that lowers one's ability to focus on driving can happen and within seconds, someone else could die."

Not only are texting and phone-related activities behind the wheel dangerous, they are against the law. Citing the Highway Traffic Act, the OPP notes that using a cellphone or any other kind of mobile device can result in a fine of $155, which may ultimately have auto insurance implications as well. In addition, OPP cites that other forms of distracted driving - such as watching an entertainment device - may lead to fines between $400 and $2,000. Depending on the severity of the incident, it could even lead to licence suspension and perhaps a jail sentence of as many as six months.

While Ontario's laws against text messaging and handheld cellphone use have been in place for nearly two years, other provinces' and territories' laws against these practices have only just recently gone into effect.

For instance, the Northwest Territory's ban on electronic devices for motorists became active on January 1. A first offence can lead to a fine, with drivers' licences being docked three demerit points. Meanwhile, in Alberta, cellphone usage behind the wheel was illegal as of September 1, 2011. Fines there can amount to $172.

In Manitoba, the source reports, officials have implemented a similar crackdown on distracted driving as enforcement officers from Winnipeg, Brandon and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be patrolling the province's roadways throughout February. Laws against drivers' cellphone use went into effect shortly after Ontario's implementation on July 15, 2010. Fines average $200.