Fewer Distractions Leads to Better Driving?

Ontario, Canada

A new set of laws regarding driving have hit the province of Ontario to decrease the amount of distractions that a driver is allowed to deal with.  The biggest and most obvious is the influence of alcohol, where the government of Ontario is demonstrating its support for road safety and zero tolerance for drunk and driving – especially for young drivers.  On top of that, a secondary distraction – cell phones, and other electronic devices – will also be disallowed when driving.  There have been many studies showing that the use of electronic devices while driving deteriorates your capacity to pay attention on the road.

For those that don’t live in Ontario, here is a quick recap:

1. As of May 1, 2009, if you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration from 0.05 to 0.08 while driving you will:

• Have your driver’s license suspended for 3 days the first time you are caught
• Have your driver’s license suspended for 7 days and have to attend an alcohol education program the second time you’re caught
• Have your driver’s license suspended for 30 days, complete a remedial alcohol treatment program and have an ignition interlock condition placed on your driver’s license for six months

(Previously drivers only received a 12-hour license suspension no matter how many times they were caught with 0.08 or above)

2. Zero tolerance for under 21 drinking and driving (must have blood alcohol of 0)

3. Zero tolerance to new drivers’ first year, no matter the age

4. Drivers can be fined as much as $500 if they are caught using their cell phones

It is great to see the government show some action instead of just talking about safer roads.  Harsh regulations will hopefully translate to less people taking chances.  The fact that they are targetting young drivers, who I assume are the majority of those who take chances on drinking and driving, is a very smart choice. 

Everytime I go out, I find someone on their cell holding up traffic, driving extra slowly, or even swerving from side to side.  This has become more frequent in recent years with all of the added features now available on the many electronic platforms available to us.  A new law is a good start to begin deterrence of such behaviour, but I foresee enforcement of such a law will be an issue.  If it is not enforced, then it will not fulfill its purpose and not impose the deterring effect it was supposed to.  After a few months, drivers will be back to their old ways as they realize this is only an empty threat. 

A better system may need to be established to ensure that this rule is followed, possibly by a cell deactivation system upon ignition.  I have not thought this through, and have not considered the implications it has on emergencies, so I will not vouch for this idea.  I do know, however, that people are quick to pick up on empty threats, and are quick to realize them as just that. 

This new set of laws is a good start for the Ontario government to demonstrate its continued support of safer streets.  Actions speak louder than words, and these actions are a good first step in deterring drunk driving.  A heavy duty traffic ticket may just be the best cure for drunk driving.