Are You Ready For These New Traffic Fines? They Come Into Effect Tuesday

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The province of Ontario is cracking down on distracted driving, laws related to cyclists and moving over for emergency vehicles starting September 1st.

The Making Ontario Roads Safer Act comes into effect on Tuesday and includes five new laws with increased fines.

Distracted Driving

If you’re caught operating hand-held communication and electronic entertainment devices or viewing display screens unrelated to your driving, fines are rising to a set fine of $490 and three demerit points upon conviction. Novice drivers will receive a minimum 30-day suspension for the first conviction and longer suspensions for subsequent convictions.

Dooring Cyclists

You will need to pay closer attention when you open your car door. The “dooring” of cyclists will carry an increased set fine of $365 and three demerit points upon conviction.

Keeping Distance

New rules will also require drivers to leave a one-metre distance where possible when passing cyclists, or they may face the penalty of a $110 set fine and two demerit points.

Be Seen

Cyclists who don’t use the required bicycle lights and reflectors face a higher set fine of $110.  A bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between ½ hour before sunset and ½ hour after sunrise, and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks.

Staying Alert Around Tow Trucks

Drivers must now leave a safe passing distance between themselves and tow trucks stopped on the roadside to provide assistance. Failing to slow down and move over for a tow truck can result in a set fine of $490.

School Buses

School buses will be more recognizible, as they will now be the only buses permitted to be chrome yellow.