Daily BrewNeed to strengthen distracted driving penalties crosses party lines
Nowadays, there are fewer things than ever that cut through the games of partisan politics and unite politicians of all stripes. Every issue, it seems, is viewed as a chance to score points; an opportunity to attack your opponent and maybe sway a few voters to your side.
This makes it all the more notable that in Ontario this week, Liberal and Conservative MPPs joined together behind a mid to curb distracted driving – that nasty and increasingly common habit of playing with one's phone while driving a car.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, a private citizen became concerned when he learned that distracted drivers in Ontario are fined only $155 and issued no demerit points. He brought his concern to PC MPP Lisa MacLeod, who said she would discuss the issue with Liberal Transportation Minister Glen Murray. He said the government would take action.
“There is a broad consensus in the assembly to move forward on this and we’d like to see the minister act, and the minister, to his credit, has indicated a willingness to do this, so I think we’re on the right path,” said MacLeod, via the Citizen.
[ Related: Calgary students get a lesson in distracted driving ]
All this talk about distracted driving isn't just anti-fun propaganda. It is serious, dangerous and fatal. Studies have suggested that texting on a cell phone while driving increases the risk of a collision by 23 times. Talking on cell phones while driving has been found to increase the risk of collision by four to six times.
A 2004 study found that using a cell phone while driving is as bad as or worse than driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Ontario so far this year there have been 50 fatalities due to distracted driving. There have been 30 caused by impaired driving.
[ More Brew: Self-centred drivers and road rage are a never-ending cycle ]
The issue is even considered a public health concern. An article recently posted in the Canadian Family Physicians medical journal urges family doctors to discuss the dangers of distracted driving with their patients.
Smoking is bad for you and here is why, you should exercise and here is why. Texting while driving is bad for your health, and here is why: You could crash your car and sever your arm.
“As physicians, patients regard us as community leaders and experts in health and safety,” the article reads. “We are in a unique position to influence the thoughts and behaviour of people regarding their overall health and well-being by educating them about the issue of distracted driving."
Hell, text messages and other technological distractions are so dangerous that a New Jersey police department banned 'distracted walking.' Just too many people walking into traffic or stumbling into mall fountains.
So the real question is, why doesn’t distracted driving have a harsher penalty? Driving under the influence convictions can result in fines of $1,000, jail sentences, roadside suspensions of up to three months and even a lifetime driving ban for multiple offenders. Is issuing a few demerit points for distracted driving really going too far?
Here is a partial list of various offences that can earn drivers demerit points:
Driver failing to wear a seatbelt (2 demerits)
Making improper turns (2 demerits)
Going the wrong way on a one-way road (3 demerits)
Failing to obey a school crossing (3 demerits)
Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more (six demerits)
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision (seven demerits)
Failing to stop for police (seven demerits)
In short, distracted driving can lead to pretty much any of these situations. We are at a point where technology is our vice. We seem incapable of setting it aside, even for a moment. Even when we really, really should.
It’s time to punish those who don’t figure that out.
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