Distracted Driving
Hand-held device offences carry a steep fine, three demerits, and escalating suspensions.
Distracted driving in Ontario covers using a hand-held communication or entertainment device, viewing a display screen unrelated to driving, and similar offences under HTA s.78 and s.78.1. Penalties escalate quickly: a first conviction carries a $615 fine, three demerits, and a 3-day licence suspension; second and third convictions push fines past $2,000 and suspensions to a full month.
These charges turn on what the officer says they observed. Defences often focus on the officer's vantage point, what 'use' actually means under the statute, and whether the device was in fact 'hand-held' at the moment in question.
Muna has run trials on distracted driving and knows how to test the prosecution's evidence.
What Muna handles
- ●Hand-held wireless device while driving (HTA s.78.1)
- ●Display-screen visible to the driver (HTA s.78)
- ●First, second, and third convictions and escalating suspensions
- ●Trial defence and reduction strategies
The information above is general. The right defence depends on the facts of your case, the wording of the charge, the disclosure from the prosecutor, and the court. Speak with Muna about your specific situation before pleading or making any decision.