Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley has recently hinted at new legislation coming this fall that would crackdown on the use of personal electronic devices while driving. From the Toronto Star:

The new law could range from an outright ban on use of electronics while driving to measures to toughen Ontario’s existing laws. Currently, a driver convicted of driving “without due care and attention” can face fines of up to $1,000 and a prison term of up to six months.

The idea behind the “distracted driver” legislation is to reduce potentially deadly traffic accidents in a fast-moving environment where multi-tasking can be dangerous.

Members of the government and law enforcement are welcoming the news, citing the urgent need of redirecting drivers’ attention to the road. With new devices like the iPhone featuring multiple applications and touch screen interfaces, the potential for distraction is all the higher.

Several tragic traffic accidents in the last few years had involved cell phone use in the lead up to fatal crashes. These incidents had raised the attention of the coroner’s office as early as 2002 and have also persuaded Premier Dalton McGuinty, who has previously rejected calls for such bans, to revise his position.

If Ontario’s lawmakers decide to pursue a ban, or include ‘cell phone’ use as an item in police reports surveying a crash, the province would join the ranks of Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland who currently have fines in effect.

The full details of the proposed legislation have yet to be revealed to the public, but more information is expected as the summer draws to a close. You can be sure Legal Action will be on top of the developments, as these changes can have very serious effects on your driving habits and on the state of your insurance if you get into a accident.

Stay tuned to this blog for more news on this, and other legislative proposals.