Ontario’s distracted driving laws apply to the use of hand-held communication/entertainment devices and certain display screens.
While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to:
use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial – you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency
use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console
view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video
program a GPS device, except by voice commands
You are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth. You can view GPS display screens as long as they are built into your vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted on the dashboard.
Other actions such as eating, drinking, grooming, smoking, reading and reaching for objects are not part of Ontario’s distracted driving law. However, you can still be charged with careless or dangerous driving.
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