<article><hgroup>Figured I'd throw this out there for everyone, some will make it safer for us out there and some you may not be aware of and could be hit with a nasty fine and possibly demerit points.
New Rules of the Road Effective September 1, 2015
</hgroup>* Fine as listed is set fine including Victim Fine Surcharge and court costs
[TABLE="class: tableWithBorders"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Current[/TD]
[TD]Penalty Effective September 1, 2015[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Distracted Driving[/TD]
[TD]$60 - $500 fine[/TD]
[TD]$490* fine and three demerit points; minimum 30-day suspension for novice drivers[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]"Dooring" of cyclists or vehicles[/TD]
[TD]$60 - $500 fine[/TD]
[TD]$365* fine and three demerit points[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Passing cyclists[/TD]
[TD]None[/TD]
[TD]Drivers must leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists or face a $110* fine and two demerit points; $180* fine and two demerit points for failing to leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists in a community safety zone[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Improper lighting on bicycle[/TD]
[TD]$20 set fine[/TD]
[TD]$110* fine[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over[/TD]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over for emergency vehicles stopped at roadside to assist[/TD]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over requirement now also includes tow trucks stopped at roadside to assist; $490* fine for violation[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Additional Changes from Bill 31 - Making Ontario's Roads Safer Act
Effective January 1, 2016
Expected Spring 2016
Expected Fall 2016
Expected Spring 2017
New Rules of the Road Effective September 1, 2015
</hgroup>* Fine as listed is set fine including Victim Fine Surcharge and court costs
[TABLE="class: tableWithBorders"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Current[/TD]
[TD]Penalty Effective September 1, 2015[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Distracted Driving[/TD]
[TD]$60 - $500 fine[/TD]
[TD]$490* fine and three demerit points; minimum 30-day suspension for novice drivers[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]"Dooring" of cyclists or vehicles[/TD]
[TD]$60 - $500 fine[/TD]
[TD]$365* fine and three demerit points[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Passing cyclists[/TD]
[TD]None[/TD]
[TD]Drivers must leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists or face a $110* fine and two demerit points; $180* fine and two demerit points for failing to leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists in a community safety zone[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Improper lighting on bicycle[/TD]
[TD]$20 set fine[/TD]
[TD]$110* fine[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over[/TD]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over for emergency vehicles stopped at roadside to assist[/TD]
[TD]Slow Down, Move Over requirement now also includes tow trucks stopped at roadside to assist; $490* fine for violation[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Additional Changes from Bill 31 - Making Ontario's Roads Safer Act
Effective January 1, 2016
- Drivers must yield the whole roadway to pedestrians at school crossings and pedestrian crossovers.
Expected Spring 2016
- Municipalities will have enhanced ability to charge out-of-province individuals caught by red light cameras.
Expected Fall 2016
- New penalties for drug-impaired driving that mirror penalties for alcohol-impaired driving.
- Extending remedial measures and ignition interlock requirements to any accumulation of alcohol/drug impaired driving under the Highway Traffic Act.
Expected Spring 2017
- Expansion of licence plate denial for drivers who do not pay Provincial Offences Act fines for offences such as speeding, improper lane changes, illegal turns, driving without insurance and careless driving.
- Extending the Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program to repeat offenders.
