In The News: London, ONT Teen Dies From Trying to Answer Cell Phone While Driving

A 17-year-old who crashed his car when he went to pick up his ringing cellphone has died of his injuries, according to London, Ont., police.

Police say the teen became distracted when his phone started ringing while he was driving with a friend along Veterans Memorial Parkway late Wednesday afternoon.

He reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone and lost control of his SUV when it veered into the median divider. The vehicle flipped over, critically injuring the young man.

His 16-year-old female passenger suffered minor injuries in the crash.

The deceased teen's family has asked police not to release his name to the media until they are able to notify other family members of his death.

Police say this tragic incident highlights the dangers of driving distracted.

"In our day and age it is almost a conditioned response for the vast majority of people to feel the need to answer the phone, or answer an email, as soon as it pops up on your screen, or rings a bell, or vibrates," said London police Sgt. Tom O'Brien.

"We need to un-condition ourselves. We need to condition ourselves to the fact that driving takes 110 per cent of our attention ... and really force ourselves to ignore, for the moment, that ringing phone."

The Ontario government will impose cellphone restrictions on drivers starting this fall.

Last October, the government tabled legislation that will ban text messaging and emailing while driving. Drivers are also forced to use hands-free devices when talking on their phone.

Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said the teenager's death reinforces the need for legislation.

"I know there are some people who think we're imposing on their rights, when we impose on their right to use a hand-held device, to be talking on the phone (while driving)," Bradley said.

But he said that most people who have used cellphones while driving appreciate the reasons for the coming ban.

"I think they recognize when they're doing it they are distracted, and this is a tragic example of the consequences of that," he said.