New Laws for Ontario Drivers | Preszler Law Toronto Injury Lawyer

This video features John Philp from Preszler Injury Lawyers discussing significant changes to Ontario's road safety laws affecting drivers and cyclists. Key updates include increased fines for distracted driving, now set at $1,000 with three demerit points, reflecting the seriousness of this issue, which surpasses drunk driving in accident statistics. Additionally, penalties for "dooring" a cyclist have also risen to $1,000 and three demerit points. Philp emphasizes the responsibility of drivers to be aware of cyclists and the potential for civil lawsuits if injuries occur. For more information or personal injury inquiries, viewers are encouraged to contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE.

Thank you, Rosie. Well, the rules of the road and the penalties for breaking them are changing for Ontario drivers and cyclists this fall. Some of those changes include entering a crosswalk before a pedestrian has left it and passing too close to a cyclist. So, how will these changes affect you? John Philp from Preszler Injury Lawyers is here to explain. Good morning.

Good morning to you. Yes, fines are going up if you are charged with distracted driving. The fine has now been increased from $300 to $1,000. It used to be two demerit points, but it has now gone up to three demerit points. That’s a pretty significant change for sure. Distracted driving, statistically, is one of the worst problems related to causes of motor vehicle accidents in this province. In fact, it surpasses drunk driving in terms of the causes of motor vehicle accidents.

Is part of this the idea that we want to make it as ridiculous as drunk driving?

Yes, I think that in the past, it was almost socially acceptable to have a few cocktails and drive. Now, it is seen as a very repugnant social behavior.

Exactly. I think that essentially, distracted driving is the new drunk driving. This has been recognized by the legislature, and they are trying to make it as socially unacceptable as drunk driving. Everyone does it; you know, you take a quick glance at your phone while you're driving. They are really trying to crack down now. This applies if you are at a stoplight or a stop sign, anything like that.

Well, listen, here's some irony for you. On my way to the studio today, I was stopped because there was a police officer directing traffic for construction. I very briefly picked up my phone to connect my Bluetooth. He walked over to my window, tapped on the window, and said, "That's a thousand-dollar fine, sir. I'll give you a pass this time, but don't let me see you do it again." So, obviously, they are taking it very seriously. I literally had it in my hand for just a second.

And distracted driving isn't just with your device; it could be anything. It could be putting on your makeup or having a cup of coffee in your hand. If it somehow causes you not to drive properly and a police officer sees this, you can be charged with distracted driving.

If you door a cyclist, in other words, if you open your car door and hit a cyclist, that's a stiffer penalty now.

Yes, it's actually along the same lines as the distracted driving fine. Now, if you actually door a cyclist, it's a thousand dollars and three demerit points. I live down by Queen West in Toronto, and I see this happen at least once a week. Cyclists are driving along the road, and a driver just not paying attention opens their door, and the cyclist goes flying. We get these cases all the time at our office as well.

It has always been the responsibility of the driver to ensure that there are no cyclists around, but I think the legislature has realized this and is trying to bring it to the public's attention by increasing these fines.

Right. So, if you are a cyclist who gets doored, you can take that person to court in a suit as well.

Absolutely. Like I said, we see these at least once a week in our office. Someone calls us because they have been riding their bicycle, and someone not paying attention opens their door and they get hit. You can bring a civil lawsuit against the driver of that vehicle if you have been injured.

Wow. All right, John Philp from Preszler Injury Lawyers, thank you so much. It’s a pleasure to be here. If you have any personal injury questions for John and his team at Preszler, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/morningshow.

Now, it’s time to take a look at traffic. Here’s Kim.