Distracted Driving Blitz in Saugeen Shores

[VE3WI Dave]

From Blackburn News:

"Saugeen Shores Police are planning a traffic safety blitz starting Friday, January 29th targeting distracted driving.  They are looking for drivers using hand held devices like a phone, gaming console, or GPS, or drivers using their vehicles display screens for something unrelated to driving like watching a movie.  The fines for a first conviction range from $615 to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day suspension.  The fines for a second conviction are up to $2,000, six demerit points, and a seven-day suspension.  Get convicted a third time and you could pay up to $3,000 dollars and lose your license for 30-days.  The blitz will run until February 12th."

Suggestion: if you haven't already, print Ontario Regulation 366/09 & put it in your glovebox along with a copy of your ham licence.  Section 13 is our exemption.  You still might get a ticket but it should get thrown out in court.

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090366

73
Dave, VE3WI

[Adam_VE3FP]

From Blackburn News:

"Saugeen Shores Police are planning a traffic safety blitz starting Friday, January 29th targeting distracted driving.  They are looking for drivers using hand held devices like a phone, gaming console, or GPS, or drivers using their vehicles display screens for something unrelated to driving like watching a movie.  The fines for a first conviction range from $615 to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day suspension.  The fines for a second conviction are up to $2,000, six demerit points, and a seven-day suspension.  Get convicted a third time and you could pay up to $3,000 dollars and lose your license for 30-days.  The blitz will run until February 12th."

Suggestion: if you haven't already, print Ontario Regulation 366/09 & put it in your glovebox along with a copy of your ham licence.  Section 13 is our exemption.  You still might get a ticket but it should get thrown out in court.

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090366

73
Dave, VE3WI

For sure a good idea to have a copy of the Ontario Regulation with you but don't count on it if you get a ticketed. OPP friend from Milton told me "If I see person drifting in the lane or reaching over, it would make no difference to him what piece of regulation you showed him.". You would have to explain it in court which end result may be not as you expected.
If you are a RAC member (good reason to become one), check out the Distracted Driving section where Rich VE3KI, RAC Regulatory Affairs Officer explains regulation across Canada. 

Stay safe & Mask up.

[VA3KOT John]

When I lived in Orangeville I was stopped by a cop for using my mobile 2m rig with a handheld mic. I politely explained to the officer that I was a licensed ham radio operator and that hams have an exemption. His reply: "I don't care it's still distracted driving". He didn't give me a ticket though.

I was a Twitter user at the time so I sent a tweet to Orangeville Police Service asking them for an explanation. They squirmed and told me "we are all in a learning curve on this". Wow, the police are learning on-the-job; I do hope that fire and ambulance services don't do the same ;-)