Here’s how much you can be fined for distracted driving in Mississauga
Published September 14, 2020 at 2:43 am
Most drivers will assure you that they know to never drive distracted, but some numbers recently released by the city indicate that distracted driving is still a big problem.
In 2019, Peel Regional Police issued a total of 1,140 distracted driving tickets, 500 of which were in Mississauga, according to the city.
“Far too many drivers continue to be distracted on Mississauga roads,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It only takes seconds to cause a life-altering crash that can impact you, your passenger and others on the road. Whether you’re setting a GPS route or talking and texting, using your phone while driving just isn’t worth it.”
For that reason, the city has rolled out a campaign to remind residents about the dangers of distracted driving, as well as the nasty fines that await if you get caught.
For a first-time distracted driving offence, the penalty is a fine between $615 and $1,000, three demerit points, and a three-day licence suspension.
Second-time distracted driving offenders receive a fine between $615 and $2,000, six demerit points, and a seven-day licence suspension.
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“Keeping our roads safe here in Mississauga is one of our top priorities. Any death or injury on our roads is unacceptable. This campaign will help educate and ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and ensure they continue to move safely and freely around our city,” Crombie added.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reports that you’re four times more likely to have a crash when you’re distracted while driving, and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) reports that one in three drivers in Ontario engages in distracted driving with a mobile device.
Additionally, research from the MTO, Traffic Injury Research Foundation and CAA found that young drivers under the age of 44 are more engaged in distracted driving.
More information on distracted driving and the city’s campaign can be found at the Mississauga website.
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