As you may know, I am from Quebec Canada. The Quebec Transport Minister, enforced a new law and made some changes to the Highway Safety code. As of June 30th, if you're caught texting while driving, whether you're stopped at a traffic light (it is considered driving) or not, you will receive a fine between 600$ and 800$ plus 5 demerit points. If you are caught the second time, your licence will be suspended for 30 days. It's about time, they get serious about it, there's a lot of drivers who text and drive. There's tons of accidents that occur everyday cause of these drivers. I was involved in a little incident a few weeks ago, I was stuck in traffic and I changed lanes, the car behind hits me not only once but two times, I turn off my car, I get out and I go to him "What's your f***ing problem???" He goes to me " I am sorry bro, I forgot to put my foot on the break", he was on his phone. I told him keep your eyes on the road and get off the phone!!! Why do we have to pay for the consequences for these reckless drivers? I mean you can't wait till you get home? if it's an emergency they will call...today, the majority of the cars have bluetooth.
Times like this I'm glad I don't drive despite my moronic dad (and relatives on his side of the family) bugging me to get my driver license and learn how to drive... On a second thought, why not permamently revoke their licenses if they reach strike 3? (I'm from Quebec as well (Montreal area))
I support this. I'm a victim of guy who thought using the phone while driving was way more important than the safety of other drivers. Ten years later, physical pain is still there. I have no idea what the fine is here in Oklahoma for using the phone while driving but it is not enough. Increase the fine! INCREASE THE FIIIIIIIIIIIINE!!!
Well, that's pretty good news, eh ? (Now the tough part - enforcing it. Sounds easy, but try telling that to all of the idiots down here in Florida who are looking at their phones on the morning commute. Myself included.)
Well said brother even though i don't live in Canada. Its a huge problem everywhere it seems and it never used to be a problem but technologies have changed that. Where i live in the south, i see it every time i go out to the doctors office. I really hate seeing someone at our main intersection light and your getting the green. So someone is turning as well I'm doing the same. They are on the phone which makes it hard since you have no idea cause driver is distracted by phone.
In the US, I believe it's up to the states. I know NY has distracted driving laws. Here in Buffalo, I think it's a $150 fine.
The state of Georgia is instituting a very similar, strict law beginning on July 1. This law prohibits: • Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive calls using speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphones or a connection to a vehicle or electronic watch. Those headsets and earpieces can’t be used for music, however — only communication. • A driver cannot hold or support a phone with any part of the body. • A driver can only use voice-based communication to send or read text messages • No reading or sending emails or social media posts, and no internet consumption of any kind • No recording of videos This law allows: • Listening to streaming music as long as it’s activated before getting on the road • Listening to music stored on your phone, provided you aren’t holding or supporting the phone in any way • Using GPS navigation if started before you enter traffic The complete law can be found on the Georgia Highway Safety site. Home | Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety More information can be found at Heads Up Georgia. HOME
Why make it a fine? If you're going to be that blatantly negligent with disregard for your own safety (to say nothing of the safety of others), why not make it a license suspension on the first violation, and a license revocation on the second?
I was in ottawa last year driving around, completely ignorant of these laws, waiting at a red light and the moment I took out my phone, just to see gps and figure out where i was, 2 contruction guys were yelling at me.
There's similar laws in a lot of places, but Quebec's penalties seem much higher. It will be interesting to see if it has an impact on things.
Oregon and Washington have very similar laws as Quebec Canada. Both of these states have very strict penalties when someone is caught with their phone in their hand.
I think most states will have something in place. But in all honesty, it's not strict enough or the punishment is not severe enough to ward people off of texting/social media and driving.
