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Distracted Driving: Fines, Faults, and Fatalities

 

From 2016 to 2018, distracted driving claims have been reported twenty three percent rise throughout Canada, regardless of huge penalties and considerable consequences. Even though, only 8% distracted driving claims have been accounted in Atlantic Canada. Distracted driving is completely avoidable, but it still leads to severe injury to drivers, pedestrians, passengers and damage to property as well. Some of the failure regulations of Canadian government are elaborated further by personal injury lawyer in Halifax:

  • Handheld Cell-phone Ban Has modest Effect in Nova Scotia

In 2008 handheld cellphones and any text-messaging devices in automobiles ware banned in Nova Scotia, except for urgent situations. Despite the highest fines were decided to impose in 2015, over 140 Nova Scotians were involved in a deadly or severe accident in the same year.

Nova Scotia’s penalties for distracted driving are as follows:

  • New Brunswick Drivers Still Using Cell Phones While Driving

New Brunswick government has been criminalized the use of cellphones, text messaging, and also portable entertainment devices while driving in 2010. However, in 2012 over 672 tickets were issued and in 2016 around 130 tickets were issued to drivers in violence of the law.

New Brunswickers’s penalties for distracted driving are as follows:

  • $172.50 penalty for a first offence
  • Three demerits on their license
  • Highway Traffic Tickets in Prince Edward Island Diminished

In 2017, Prince Edward Island experienced a rapid fall in highway traffic fines revenue and masses considered that it was the consequence of fewer masses committing serious offences or breaking the law, but police were doubtful. That is why; Prince Edward Island diminished the highway traffic tickets without any solid reason.

In 2015, the province also amplified their penalties and demerits, which are currently:

  • At least fine of $575
  • Utmost fine of $1,275
  • Five demerits upon conviction
  • Newfoundland & Labrador Ask New Tech Resolution For Distracted Driving

Newfoundland and Labrador have banned the use of handheld cellphones, text messaging, also manual GPS programming in 2010 with imposing high fines on negligence.

  • $100 penalty for a first offence
  • $400 penalty for a third offence
  • Four demerits

However, the Nation-wide survey was conducted in Canada and it revealed that Newfoundlanders considered that the new technology resolution would be the only answer to avoid distracted driving.

Unfortunately, if you have been involved in an automobile accident, you can contact a personal injury lawyer in Halifax for better advice.