The Millennial Generation, or Generation Y, is a generation of selfies, lack of responsibility, and texting. This is a general statement, and stereotypes cannot be used to accurately depict this generation as a whole, but this age group has grown up in a world where technology rules society. Walking down the street, kids can barely keep their eyes up as they struggle to text and walk. Kids are holding the streetcar poles, texting one-handed with ease. But these habits have been brought into the car with young drivers, where texting becomes more important than focusing on the road at hand.
Some research says that as many as 13% of drivers ages 18-20 are involved in car wrecks due to texting or talking on their cell phones at the time of the accident. This is quite a large number, and it influences the number of serious accidents and serious injuries as a result of this irresponsible behaviour.
Adults That Text and Drive
Though they’re an easy target, millennials are not fully to blame for this distracted driving problem. 48% of young drivers have seen their parents drive while talking on their phones, while 48% of kids from ages 12-17 have been in the car when a driver was texting while driving. These statistics are frightening, and they also show that this might not be a generational problem. Although there are lists of excuses as to why texting and driving is not dangerous, or is necessary, distracted driving causes serious accidents that can lead to death.
Distracted Driving Laws in Ontario
Setting the excuses aside, in Ontario it is now illegal for drivers to text, talk, type, dial, or email using any hand-held devices. If you endanger other drivers because of distracted driving, you will be charged with careless driving, and, if convicted, you will receive:
- Six demerit points;
- Up to $2000 in fines;
- A jail term of six months; and/or
- Up to a two-year license suspension.
These penalties reflect the seriousness of this offense and the changes in the laws due to distracted driving accidents.
Hiring Serious Injury Attorneys
With more knowledge about the penalties in Ontario for distracted driving, it is clear that this behaviour is no longer permissible and is a real threat to other drivers on the road. Distracted driving laws are extremely new, and if you are involved in a crash where the at-fault driver was texting and driving, serious injury attorneys will meet with you, advising you every step of the way.
Serious injury attorneys will also gather evidence for your insurance company, proving that the at-fault driver was texting while driving when the accident occurred. Toronto personal injury lawyers and serious injury attorneys are there to help you receive the compensation you deserve, filing a strong case against the accused to the insurance company.
If you have been involved in a crash, it’s time to book a free consultation with serious injury attorneys and Toronto personal injury lawyers at Sokoloff today.
Sources:
http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/distracted-driving.shtml
http://www.personalinjurylawyertoronto.com/distracted-driving.html