Bill 116 2013

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to increase the penalty for the use of hand-held devices while driving

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  Section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Penalty, fine

   (6.1)  Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $700.

Penalty, demerit points

   (6.2)  If a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) or (2), the Registrar shall record three demerit points in respect of the person as of the date of commission of the offence.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day that is three months after the day this Act receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Manoranjana Kanagasabapathy Act (Hand-Held Devices Penalty), 2013.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to increase the penalty for driving a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device, a hand-held electronic entertainment device or other prescribed device.

The penalty for each of these offences is increased to a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $700. Offenders also receive three demerit points for each offence.