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.

In The News: Cell Phone Ban Means Safer Roads

Talking on Blackberrys or shuffling through iPods will have to take a backseat to driving, under Ontario’s new distracted drivers law.

The legislation, passed last week, prohibits the use of handheld cell phones and entertainment devices as well as other communication devices while driving.

"Cell phones, Blackberrys, and other devices that distract drivers attention are a serious threat to the safety of drivers on the roadway,” said Sergeant Steve MacDonald of the Halton Regional Police's District Response Unit.

"These new traffic laws are a welcome piece of legislation adding one more tool for our officers to improve road safety."

Drivers could face up to $500 in fines if they text, email, dial or talk on a hand held device once the legislation is put into effect this fall. In some cases, drivers can be charged under existing careless and dangerous driving laws if other drivers are placed at risk.

There are some acceptable methods to use cell phones and other devices while behind the wheel.
Drivers can use a cell phone with an earpiece, a headset or plugged into the vehicles sound system. They can place calls by using voice dialling.

A global positioning system is permitted when mounted to the dashboard or any other accessible place in the vehicle. A portable media player can be used when plugged into a vehicle's sound system.

According to Transport Canada, driver distraction is a contributing factor in about 20 per cent of all collisions and drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash.

“Accidents can cause substantial injury and they can cause a lot of damage to cars,” said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. “If it is going to help make our highways a safer place, it’s got to be a great piece of legislation.”

In 2006, Kevin Flynn introduced a private member's bill that proposed the prohibition of handheld devices among novice drivers. He said that it may have started the ball rolling on this universal ban.
“It allowed organizations like the CAA to come forward and make their case,” said Flynn. “I think it took a lot of the emotion out of the debate and it allowed for some hard facts to be introduced and the evidence is overwhelmingly in support of the bill.”

The Ontario Medical Association commended the provincial government for championing the bill.
According to an OMA report released last September, a crash is four times more likely to occur if a cell phone has been used up to ten minutes prior to a collision.

"There are enough distractions inside and outside the car without drivers focusing on the myriad of communication devices," said MacDonald.

Drivers can still use their cell phones to make emergency calls to police, fire and emergency medical services.

For more information regarding Bill 118: Countering Distracted Driving and promoting Green Transportation Act, 2009, visit www.ontla.on.ca.