Learning to drive means more than memorizing road signs; it means adopting a mindset of constant vigilance. Recent enforcement action by the Langley, B.C., police serves as a powerful reminder of how seriously law enforcement across Canada is cracking down on distracted drivingâand the costly consequences for those who don’t pay attention.
While those specific fines were issued on the West Coast, the lesson is universal and directly relevant to every driver here in the Durham Region.
The Alarming Reality of Distracted Driving
Police departments from coast to coast, including our local forces, are increasing enforcement because distracted driving remains a leading cause of collisions, injuries, and fatalities.
In British Columbia, for example, the penalty for a single offence of using a handheld electronic device is steep: a $368 fine and four penalty points, with escalating costs and insurance premiums for repeat offenders.
The Lesson for Oshawa: The minimum fine in Ontario for distracted driving is even higher, starting at $615 (plus three demerit points) for a first offence, and rising sharply for repeat offenders, new drivers, and those who choose to dispute the ticket unsuccessfully. It’s a costly mistake everywhere.
đ More Than Just a Fine: Itâs a Safety Issue
At Sun Driving Academy in Oshawa, our goal is to instill defensive driving habits that make the fine irrelevant because the unsafe behaviour is eliminated entirely.
The rules in Ontario are clear: A driver cannot hold or use a handheld electronic device while operating a vehicleâeven if you are stopped at a red light. This includes:
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đ± Talking, texting, or dialing on a handheld phone.https://sundrivingacademy.ca/blog/distracted-driving-fine-ontario
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đșïž Using a loose GPS or device not securely mounted.
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đ» Viewing videos or programming a device while driving.
đŠ Sun Driving Academy: Building Lifelong Focus
Our Ministry-Approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) Course focuses heavily on eliminating common distractions and developing the core defensive skills that save lives and prevent tickets.
Hereâs how we prepare our students to drive distraction-free:
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Establishing Pre-Drive Rituals: We teach students to program their GPS, set their music, and secure their phones before putting the car in drive.
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Focus on Hands-Free: We ensure students understand the legal and safe use of hands-free technology and stress that even hands-free can be a cognitive distraction.
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Real-World Scenarios: Our one-on-one training includes driving in high-traffic areas and complex intersections where focus is absolutely critical, ensuring students learn to ignore non-driving demands.
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đ Penalties for Distracted Driving
The penalties are severe and increase dramatically with repeat convictions, with separate rules for fully licensed vs. novice drivers.
Fully Licensed Drivers (A to G Licences)
Conviction Out-of-Court Fine (Includes fees) Demerit Points Licence Suspension First $615 (Up to $1,000 in court) 3 3 days Second $615 (Up to $2,000 in court) 6 7 days Third+ $615 (Up to $3,000 in court) 6 30 days Note: A license reinstatement fee applies after every suspension.
Don’t Risk the Fine. Master the Focus.
The enforcement blitzesâwhether in Langley or right here in the Durham Regionâare a reminder that police are watching, and distracted driving is not tolerated. Your driving education should prepare you to handle any situation on the road with total focus.
Ready to gain the confidence and discipline to drive safely and legally for life? https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving
Sun Driving Academy is your trusted choice for responsible driving education.
đ Call or text: 416-458-6363 đ Website: https://sundrivingacademy.ca/
