Double check that rear-view mirror — "dooring" a cyclist by knocking them off him off his bike with your coudl could soon cost up to $1,000 and three demerit points in Ontario. Photo: Postmedia News file photo A bill in Ontario seeks to overhaul road safety in the province, from tougher penalties for “dooring cyclists” to massive distracted driving fines.
The bill was first introduced in the spring but died with the June election call, and Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca reintroduced it Tuesday as Bill 31. Now that the Liberals have a majority, it will almost certainly become law. It’s just a matter of when.
Here are 11 things you need to know about the bill — or face hefty fines for your ignorance.
Texting and driving is about to get a lot more expensive
Don’t be this guy — it could soon cost you more than that iPhone. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
Would you rather get a new iPhone or text while driving?
The bill would increase maximum distracted driving fines to $1,000 and three demerit points. So put down the phone and focus on the road, or you could pay a hefty price.
Light up your bike
Cops in Ontario could soon fine cyclists who don’t have proper night-time safety equipment. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Cyclists who don’t have proper reflectors or required bicycle lights could face fines of up to $500. The bill would also permit the use of flashing red lights on bicycles.
No more school bus impostors
If the bill passes, only school buses could be this colour of yellow, so some tacky muscle cars may need a paint job. (Associated Press)
The bill would also “clarify that only school buses can be painted chrome yellow.” One has to wonder what, exactly, necessitated that clarification.
Cycle safe
See, cycling isn’t just for Toronto “elites.” (Chris Wattie /Reuters)
Cyclists annoyed by possible fines for forgetting or losing their bike lights should take heart in this: the bill would require all drivers to give cyclists a one-metre berth when passing at all times. Might be tough in downtown Toronto, but necessary.
Cycle more
It’s about to get a lot safer to go for country bike rides in Ontario. (Associated Press)
The bill also increases ways to cycle or methods for cities to encourage more people to ride their bikes. It would allow cycling on paved shoulders of provincial highways, which is currently disallowed under the act. That would follow an earlier government pledge to pave more of those shoulders.
And the legislation would enable more cities to install contraflow lanes: bike lanes on one-way streets that run counter to vehicle traffic.
Drive sober
Don’t drive high, it’s boring and you could die. (File photo)
The bill would bring Ontario in line with other provinces and enact the same penalties for stoned drivers as those who are drunk, including escalating license suspensions and mandated addictions counselling.
“Dooring” will cost you more than just repairs
Double check that rear-view mirror — “dooring” a cyclist by knocking them off of their bike with your car could soon cost up to $1,000 and three demerit points in Ontario. (Postmedia News file photo)
Getting clotheslined by a car door on your commute to work is no fun, but for many cyclists in cities it’s a too regular occurrence. It can also be deadly — and now the province will take it as seriously as distracted driving, increasing fines to a maximum of $1,000 and three demerit points.
Even bigger transport trucks on the 401
Transport trucks could soon be even more intimidating. (Getty Images)
Double-long transport trucks are about to get a little bigger: 2.5 metres longer to be exact. The backgrounder on the bill says the change would “accommodate new technologies required to meet air quality and greenhouse gas emissions standards, and include more comfortable sleeping areas for drivers.”
Towing the line
Tow trucks are about to get a lot busier when it starts snowing. The Ontario government wants to make things just a little safer for them. (National Post file photo)
If passed, the bill would offer the same protections to tow-truck drivers as are afforded to emergency responders: when passing a tow-truck with flashing lights, drivers would be required to slow down and give a full lane’s berth when possible.
Allow more people to keep their licenses as identification
You might say older Ontarians are the elephant in the ministry when talking ID laws. You could also say this was an excuse to put a baby elephant in the story. (Associated Press)
Thousands of Ontarians struggle after a tough medical diagnosis. In some cases, it also means they lose their driving privileges (epilepsy, for example). Now, the government would allow those who’ve had their driver’s license revoked for medical reasons to keep it as identification and in case they are allowed to drive again.
Crosswalk crackdown
Not all crosswalks are as colourful as those in Toronto’s gay village, but they should all be equally safe for pedestrians. (National Post file photo)
Drivers who try to eke through crosswalks as soon as pedestrians are halfway through will have to wait a bit longer: the bill would require drivers wait until no one is in the crosswalk or face penalties.
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