Ontario introduces tougher penalties for distracted driving

Tougher distracted driving laws Janice Golding reports on the tougher laws being put in place by Ontario police to prevent distracted driving.

Ontario drivers are facing harsher penalties for distracted driving starting today.

The provincial government introduced the new rules in a bid to improve road safety.

Those convicted of driving while distracted, including texting while behind the wheel, will have their licence suspended for three days.

First-time fines now range from between $615 to $1,000, up from the previous minimum of $490.

Drivers will also be docked three demerit points for a first distracted-driving offence.

Provincial police say the measures are necessary to reinforce the fact that driving while distracted poses a safety risk that many drivers ignore.