Russian traffic police officers stand guard during patrol on a road near venues at the Olympic Park near Sochi January 7, 2014. Russian forces went on combat alert in Sochi and tightened restrictions on access to the Black Sea resort on Tuesday as part of
IN PHOTO: Russian traffic police officers stand guard during patrol on a road near venues at the Olympic Park near Sochi January 7, 2014. Russian forces went on combat alert in Sochi and tightened restrictions on access to the Black Sea resort on Tuesday as part of measures by President Vladimir Putin to ensure security at next month's Winter Olympics. Reuters/Kazbek Basayev

Canada’s Ontario province has tightened traffic rules and made the penalties severe for all kinds of traffic violations. Under the new norms, offending drivers who text behind the wheel, or who “door” on passing cyclists or keep driving after being stoned will face stiffer fines up to CA$1,000.

The law will soon be signed into law as it has passed its final reading. In the case of distracted driving, the penalty has been made the toughest in the world. It also aims at cracking down on drivers who offend cyclists. According to government, the new legislation seeks to build on actions already taken to improve road safety, including compulsory booster seats, enforcing wearing of seatbelt, Graduated Licensing System for novice drivers, stiffer penalties for over speeding and also the ban on hand-held devices while driving.

Fines Up

The fines for distracted drivers have been increased from the old range of $60 to $500 to a newer range of $300 to $1,000, plus three demerit points. "If they do it, and they're caught doing it, there will be consequences," said Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca. He added, "If they're going to do it, they have to understand how dangerous it is, how they're putting themselves, the passengers in their car, pedestrians and cyclists, at really, really horrific risk."

The law also encourages cities to build more bike lanes and cyclists are also not spared in the law. They have to light up their rides properly. So, the fines for cyclists have been increased from CA $20 to a band of $60--$500, for bicyclists riding without light and reflective materials.

Highway Traffic Act

The amendments to the Highway Traffic Act also mandate a one-metre distance between motor vehicles and bicycles — "where practicable" and drivers have to wait until pedestrians completely cross the road at school crossings. Fines for opening a door uncaringly into the path of a cyclist will invite harsh penalty as in distracted driving, and motorists have to leave a one-metre distance for allowing bicycles to pass. Cyclists are expected to use the paved shoulders on non-400 series provincial highways.

Drivers impaired by drugs will face penalties equivalent to those impaired by alcohol, with roadside suspensions ranging from three to 90 days. Vehicles could be impounded for seven days and offenders would be asked to install an ignition interlock to prevent driving while impaired. According to the Government statistics, over 45 percent of drivers killed in Ontario were under drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol, reports CBC News.

According to the Ministry of Transport’s press note, the new laws will help municipalities to collect unpaid fines and empower them to deny licence plates to drivers who do not pay up the Provincial Offences Act fines.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)

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