Statistics show that one person is killed on Ontario roads every 17 hours and that cyclists and pedestrians constitute about a quarter of road fatalities.

Motor-vehicle accidents are usually caused by someone’s fault or negligence. Road-safety activists and the cycling community have called for strong penalties to deal with such drivers.

Currently, Ontario’s driving laws have no category of fault for careless driving causing death. Careless drivers may be fined up to a maximum of $2000 and six months’ imprisonment with license suspension. However, in the current scenario, when distracted driving has become a serious road-safety issue, stronger penalties seem warranted.

If you or a dear one has suffered serious injuries as a result of careless or distracted driving, contact an experienced Brampton personal injury lawyer immediately. Ensure that you select a professional who has previous experience in handling similar cases. You may be entitled to compensation.

Distracted Driving

Driving a motor-vehicle requires 100% focus and concentration. Even a split second’s inattention or distraction can lead to a collision or accident. Ontario statistics for 2013 show that one person is injured in a distracted-driver collision every half an hour.  Today, there are so many types and forms of distraction that it’s a huge challenge for drivers to stay focused on the road. Drivers using a phone are four times more likely to cause a crash than those who stay focused on the road.

Distracted driving includes:

• Answering calls on the cellphone (Hands-free phones are equally distracting)
• Texting, messaging, using Bluetooth
• Using other electronic devices like laptops and tablets
• Clicking pictures while driving
• Reading
• Reaching or leaning over to adjust temperature controls, music and entertainment systems
• Focusing on GPS screen or glancing at a movie that someone else in the vehicle is watching
• Grooming, applying make-up
• Eating and drinking
• Children and pets in the vehicle
• Loud music
• Chatting with co-passengers

Accidents caused by distracted drivers can result in serious injuries that can cause long-term or permanent disability or even death. Unfortunately, the driver who feels that it’s vitally important to answer that call or send a text message on the cellphone fails to realize that the effects of his/her careless act can result in a life-time of pain and suffering, physical and financial losses.

Proposed New Legislation

• Fines, license suspension and imprisonment for careless driving that causes bodily harm or death
• Higher penalties for distracted driving, especially cellphone use, including higher fines, demerit points and license suspension
• Increased penalties for failing to yield to pedestrians
• Escalating fines for multiple offenses
• Use of cameras in school buses to capture illegal passing so that no witness is required to present such evidence in a court
• Expanding the use of flashing blue lights mounted on the rear portion of emergency and enforcement vehicles

An experienced Brampton personal injury lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected if you’re injured in a motor-vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver. We can also conduct independent investigations to establish negligence and distraction, collate information, evidence and testimony from eye-witnesses and experts, access traffic and police reports, find available CCTV footage if available showing the accident and build a robust claim for compensation.