Cel Phone Ban in Ontario

[Duck]

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTV...hub=TorontoHome

What I find interesting is that it's an "Electronic Distractions" ban, not just cel phones - wow!

I wonder if we'll still be allowed to have the GPS within reach? Or if it's just "if you're caught fiddling with it while driving" kinda thing?

-Iain

[MikeT]

I wish this would be done in BC too.....

[Huronlad]

Cell phones I understand. But I would think GPS are much safer than trying to read a map while driving?

[garthD]

Good idea. Wonder if it will be actively enforced or will be just one of those laws that sits on the books?What about ipods & other mp3 players? I have to admit that I do fiddle with mine a bit too much while driving. Guess I'll have to rely on shuffle...

[MightyMouseTech]

I have been anxiously awaiting this law!

[Snow_Dogs]

I wish that they would do this in BC! It's amazing the number of people who drive with a cell phone glued to their ear.

[cappytanjack]

I could care less about the cell phones or blackberries myself but I do have an issue with banning GPS devices. They are no different than cars with navigation screens. Are nav screens next on the hit list? Have these fool politicians (redundant term) really thought this out? Time for darker tint ... Oh wait, darker tint is illegal already. Ontario, a place to stand, a place to grow, Ontari, ari, ario!Cappytanjack ...

[Overkll]

Cell phones I understand. But I would think GPS are much safer than trying to read a map while driving?

Guess we'll have to go back to using maps then... they're not electronic! I use Blackberry maps sometimes, so I'm done for...GPS should really be set while stopped, then it would not be a distraction (as much). How about radios? Unfortunately, it seems like it will be rarely enforced, but useful in cases of accidents that are caused by cell phones, etc. being used; probably easier to convict people of offenses.

[Duck]

My tomtom has a lockout above a certain speed; it'll only allow certain functions if you're moving, and won't allow you to type.(you can disable that, but it's neat that it does have that possibility).-Iain

[FlyingTigerDevelopment]

I wish this would be done in BC too.....

+1

[Francesco]

Re: GPS:

You'll be allowed to use GPS, just not adjust it manually while driving. If you have voice-controlled GPS, you're fine, and the GPS reading out directions to you should be fine.

[lebikerboy]

BC's turn is coming...

[Huronlad]

I emailed the Transport Minister and McGuinty's office to see if I could get some clarification. The media information is pretty vague. CP24 makes no mention of a GPS ban, just hand held phones.

Interestingly just last year McGuinty was singing a different tune.

No Cellphone Ban 2007

[Guest Snapdragon]

They tried this in Alberta a couple years ago. No hand held phones, using a fax (yes, it was there), palm device, etc. Cell phones on Hands-free were still allowed.It was voted down.

[Steve C.]

gee, a politician flip-flopped on his promise...go figure!!tuesday the 28th will see the release of the legislation, and we'll probably get 6 months before its law, to wind down our use. it should encompass all electronic devices, meaning gps needs to be set BEFORE you head out, not adjusted whilst driving. cell phones will need to become "hands free operating", so you can still use it, just not manually. however, these things are pretty much "common sense" anyway, better drivers program the destination prior to leaving, as that would be the SMART thing to do.SMART drivers would use hands free technology to keep their eyes on the road. common sense, no? all we need now is for the govt. to also ban (like its necessary) a-holes, i mean people, who drive with their dog between them and the steering wheel. those retards who put everyone in danger by not being able to steer properly around an obstacle, or have their dog jump up for some reason and block their view or wrap their paws through the steering wheel or whatever, those guys need to be taken off the road. endangering the lives of their pets also by having them squished between themselves and the airbag, losers.we should also ban eating while driving.jesus, between food, pets, and yakking on the phone, our highways are littered with morons turning their cars into their homes, and the number of accidents from this causes innocent people to suffer because of it. what a nation of ignorant drivers we are becoming. its harder and harder for me to keep holding my peace with these people, and to stay a courteous individual to other drivers who are this bad.

[Duck]

Talking on a hands-free set is just as distracting as holding it up to your ear.-Iain

[Francesco]

Yes it is.

[SCHMART]

I wish that they would do this in BC! It's amazing the number of people who drive with a cell phone glued to their ear.

its bad enough glued to the ear but seeing people texting is scary

[bilgladstone]

Talking on the phone, eating, drinking, tuning the radio, changing CDs, watching the kids in the back seat, conversations with passengers, adjusting the mirrors while driving, changing gears manually, reading billboards, searching for unfamiliar streets or addresses, rolling the windows up or down, turning the page in a map book, listening to CBC radio, shooing the wee doggie off your lap...

He//, it's all part of the driving experience. If you cause an accident while doing any of this stuff, it's "driving without due care and attention!" No need to make special laws about phones or GPS navigation.

[lebikerboy]

Unfortunately I have to disagree with you Bill. As you have to legislate idiots to drive with their seat belt fastened, you have to do the same when it comes to cell phones.In my experience when I see a driver do something stupid such as turning or changing lanes without signaling, 90% of the time it's cause they've got a phone in their hand.The UK has banned cell phone usage while driving since their inception. As a matter of fact I was a witness to an accident at an intersection near my home while I was waiting for the light to change as a pedestrian. I watched a vehicle make a left turn in front of the oncoming traffic with no signal whilst the driver was on the phone. After she had been struck by the oncoming traffic she jumped out of the car and I noticed that the phone had been put away. When the officer attended I described the entire incident as the driver listened. She called me a f---king liar even when the driver of the second vehicle concurred. The judge however wasn't very sympathetic to her plight and she was found guilty of all charges and paid fines plus points on her license.

[smartvancouver]

Talking on a hands-free set is just as distracting as holding it up to your ear.

I have to disagree to some extent here. When you are on a hands-free you have both "hands free" to drive the car, signal, etc. It is no different talking on the hands free than it is talking to a passenger sitting beside you.I have used hands free for nearly 10 years now.I do HATE it when I see a driver with a phone up to their ear, driving with one hand. When you are holding the phone to you ear you do focus on the item in your hand, just human nature, and I strongly agree that should be banned.

[Huronlad]

Duck has it right.

Hands-free talking still dangerous

[bilgladstone]

The judge however wasn't very sympathetic to her plight and she was found guilty of all charges and paid fines plus points on her license.

What was the charge? Prolly care-and-attention, eh?

[smartvancouver]

Duck has it right.Hands-free talking still dangerous

As the article says, if you are trained to use it (such as pilots) it is not as distracting. I use a headset all day and multi-task at the same time. I rarely use my bluetooth when in the car but after that many years I do not find it a distraction. I find my hubby yacking at me from the passenger seat WAY MORE distracting, but then many can say that about their spouse! I do like their suggestion about special training in the use of hands free!

[bilgladstone]

I do like their suggestion about special training in the use of hands free!

I use a hands-free set in the car and I would have no objection to a (for example) 2 hour special training course! There's always a better/safer way to do things.