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Driving requires your full attention

Ban On Hand-Held Devices Starts in October

Ontario's ban on hand-held devices while driving will take effect on October 26, 2009.

The new law will make it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices.

Using a hands-free device is permitted as long as the device is:

  • placed securely in or mounted to the motor vehicle so that it does not move while the vehicle is in motion and the driver can see it at a quick glance and easily reach it without adjusting his or her driving position. For example, it could be secured in a cell phone holster, placed in the vehicle's cup holder, or fastened to the dashboard. It should not be sitting unsecured on the passenger seat.

Read the latest news release here.

Driving requires your full attention.

Many drivers today tend to view driving, especially in familiar environments, as a simple everyday task that requires minimal attention. In fact, driving is a task that requires your full attention every time you get behind the wheel. At the very least you are:

  • Operating a heavy piece of machinery at high speed
  • Navigating across changing terrain
  • Calculating speeds and distances
  • Responding to other drivers, signs signals and obstacles around you