On the road, even a brief distraction can be costly

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Taking your focus away from the road, even for the briefest glance, can have serious consequences.

Un homme d’âge moyen regarde son téléphone au volant.


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Every day, we experience countless demands on our time. It seems that doing more than one thing at a time is the only way to keep up – except when you’re driving. Taking your focus away from the road, even for the briefest glance, can have serious consequences. While it may be tempting to check your phone to see who just sent you that text, it can wait.

In Ottawa between 2019 and 2023, 61 per cent of fatal and major injury collisions involved high-risk driving behaviour. In addition to the harm you might cause to yourself or someone else, you could also face legal penalties. For drivers with an A to G licence, a first conviction for distracted driving includes a fine of up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day licence suspension. For a first conviction for novice drivers (with an M1, M2, G1 or G2 class licence) the suspension is 30 days. So, please, stay focused on the road. Every text can wait.

You may also be teaching those dangerous habits to future generations. According to Parachute Canada, a national charity dedicated to injury prevention, children are more likely to text and drive when they grow up if they see their parents or caregivers using phones while driving. We need to lead by example.

Put your focus on the road instead of the phone. These tips can help reduce or even remove the temptation altogether:

  • Plan your trip ahead so you don’t need to check for directions enroute.
  • Set your phone to ‘Do not disturb’ while you’re driving.
  • If you have to check your phone or respond, pull over somewhere safe, well off the road.
  • If you have a passenger, give them control of your phone.

Resources


When you’re behind the wheel, keep your focus where it matters the most – on your driving. Avoid the cost of a distracted driving conviction and the personal tragedy of a fatal or major injury collision.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

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