Distracted Driving, Walking and Cycling
York Region maintains over 4,300 lane kilometres and wants to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities involving distracted behaviour on Regional roads. Distracted driving is now the leading cause of traffic collisions in Ontario.
The 2023 to 2025 York Regional Police Road Safety Strategy has identified Distracted Driving as one of the top five concerns.
Distracted Driving Facts
There are tree main types of distractions:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: taking your mind off driving
- Research shows that drivers are four times more likely to be in a collision while using a cell phone
- According to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, when drivers take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds, their crash risk doubles
- Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting
- Using a cellphone or device capable of texting while driving can result in a fine from $300 to $1,000 and three demerit points under Section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario offers the following tips to avoid being distracted while you drive:
- Use your cellphone only when you’re parked, or have a passenger take the call
- Let calls go to voicemail
- Turn off your cellphone before you start driving
- Identify and preset your vehicle’s climate control, radio and CD player
- Plan your route and set your GPS before you leave
- When you’re hungry or thirsty, take a break, don’t eat or drink while you drive
- Avoid other distractions such as reading maps, grooming activities and tending to children and pets
Distracted Walking and Cycling facts
Do not use your cell phone while walking or cycling near traffic.
Avoid walking while you are distracted. Always:
- Walk on available sidewalks — never on the road
- Cross at an intersection or crosswalk
- Obey crossing guards
When crossing intersections:
- Be visible and indicate your intention to cross
- Turn off or mute any device that impairs your hearing, like an iPod or cell phone
- Do not text or play handheld video games while crossing the road
- Look and listen for traffic in all directions
- Whether walking or cycling, make eye contact with drivers before you start to cross the street
- Walk your bike across intersections
- Ontario Law requires you equip your bike with white and red reflective tape, a front white light and red rear light, a bell or horn that works
- We strongly recommend that cyclists wear helmets
- Wear reflective or bright clothing to be visible to drivers
- Use hand signals when turning
