It is up to both drivers and pedestrians to keep everyone safe in Ontario. Majority of us have been both a pedestrian and a driver, how do we keep ourselves and others safe when we are walking or driving? In the past year there have been many updates to road rules including; pedestrian crossings and distracted driving, are you up to date about our new road rules and what you could potentially be facing should you get caught?

As of January 1st, 2016, drivers – including – cyclists must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and other locations where there is a crossing guard. Only when pedestrians and school crossing guards have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk can drivers and cyclists proceed. What are the penalties? Drivers and cyclists may face a fine in the range of $150-$500, drivers may also face 3 demerit points and fines will be doubled in community safety zones. So next time you’re driving to take your car for an oil change at St Amand Auto & Truck Repair be sure to watch for pedestrians unless you can afford $500 fine and 3 demerit points!

If we think a $500 fine and 3 demerit points is bad, try $490 + victim surcharge and court fee on for size. Using your phone to talk, text, map out your way to St Amand Auto & Truck Repair or choose the latest Justin Bieber album while you’re behind the wheel all count as distracted driving- and they put others at risk. It is against the law to use hand-held communication i.e. phone and electronic devices while driving. In fact simply holding a phone or other device while driving is against the law even if it’s turned off. How do we avoid this? Check out some tips below to avoid distracted driving;

• turn your phone on silent or off before you get in the car
• put your electronic device in the glove department or in a bag in the backseat
• before you leave the house record an outgoing message that tells callers you’re driving
  should you be expecting an important phone call (NO phone call is important enough)
  • some apps block incoming calls and texts or send automatic replies to people trying to
    text you
• ask your passenger to take the call or respond to a text for you
• if you must respond or have to make a call or send a text, carefully pull over to a safe
  area

*In an emergency, you can use your phone to call 911, but be sure to pull over to a safe area!!

From our family to yours,
St. Amand Auto & Truck Repair Inc.