New Road Rules In Ontario, Including Higher Fines For Distracted Driving

Distracted driving and the `dooring’ of cyclists will carry heftier fines beginning today.

Penalties for distracted driving will include an increased set fine of $490 and three demerit points upon conviction.

The fine for `dooring’ cyclists increases to $365 and three demerit points and, where possible, drivers must now leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists.

Drivers must also now leave a safe passing distance for tow trucks stopped on the roadside to provide assistance, or face a fine of $490.

Also set to change today are collision reporting limits across Ontario.

The threshold for reporting damage to police following a motor vehicle collision where no one is injured, is now $2,000…up from $1,000.

This is meant to reduce the collision reports processed by police.

If the collision involves injury, damage to public property, hazardous or dangerous goods or when the driver is suspected of impairment, all must be reported to police.