Cell phone ban & travelling in Muskoka

I must admit that I never really turn my cell phone on! There are a few people I know who never give the number out, except in extreme cases. Our new law bans the use of any handheld portable devices like a DVD or phone. The fine is up to $500, but will not be enforced, at the Minister's demand, until Feb. 1, 2010 (?!).

Research shows people are 4 times more likely to be in a crash, than those who concentrate on the road and their driving (Canada Safe). Of course, those who are not giving their full attention to their driving put us all at risk.

I am very happy with the new laws that make it illegal in Ontario to use such technology in a car, while driving. Now, I am sure I'll get some negative comments on this, as I did with the recent revision to the Ontario Drinking & Driving Laws.

Muskoka roads are fast: most are highways have a posted speed limit of 80 km/hour. But few follow this. There are those who drive 20 km below the limit (also dangerous, and these people should be reported), but this is a different story as frustrated drivers try to pass in unsafe conditions. Driving safley in Muskoka includes watching out for moose and deer, as well as small animals.

This man, above right, was sitting in heavy traffic in a small town, trying to make a left-hand turn while talking on his cell phone. Obviously, a contractor (his licence plate read: I FIXUM) and I know that people in this line of work spend a lot of time on the road. This is a problem in Muskoka, where many rely on contractors, who are incredibly busy. StatCan (StatCan, 2006) tells us that 80 % of these people not only drive to work, but we have a fair number of people who are in trades, and sales & service (80 %; StatCan, 2006), and many of these people drive about servicing customers, and doing work at customer's homes. Traffic can be dense on our two-lane highways, especially in the early morning and around 4 p.m., and this is when wildlife is active. The Sounds of Silence, the myth of rural Ontario.

Our roads are fairly flat, but they wind through the granite rock of Muskoka's Precambrian Shield, and provide unsafe driving conditions in, for example, the frozen rain and sleet of November weather. Then, when the snow hits, people get even crazier!

Who bans cell phone use?
According to Canada Safe, banned locales include: Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia and, now, Ontario.

Other countries in which a ban is in force for the entire nation:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil,Botswana, Chile, China, Czech Reblic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republik, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK. I include these, because, as with the US, the ban is limited to particular provinces and states, but it is not a nation-wide ban.

Drinking & Driving laws in Ontario

While some may think this post better belongs in My Reflections & Musings blog, I believe that the party attitude of cottage country needs an alignment. I have blogged a few times here about the tragic accidents that continue to occur, many due to drinking and driving and speed

Young drivers and the law

I laud any new safety laws for young, or old drivers!
When our kid were young we gave them rules. We know enough about safe driving habits that they take years to happen. We have to be vigilant until they learn responsibility. They all took lessons from reputable driver's education schools.

That said, we know enough about the brain, and brain development, that new drivers are still too unsteady to be trusted with other families' children. When we drive, as adults, we have put the safe operation of a vehicle into the lower part of the brain, where we can automatically respond, as required, to unsafe driving conditions, and sudden noise or interference by moving or immovable objects.

But new drivers are still using the prefrontal cortex to operate a piece of machinery capable of wiping out a family in a minute. Their brain cells are madly generating new ideas, new thoughts, creating new patterns, as they attempt to mast the complex operation of a vehicle: checking for blind spots, distractions within and without the vehicle, backing up, parallel parking.

When I look at the dangerous driving conditions on our road in the sleet and ice of November, I believe that we cannot be too safe. In Muskoka the end up in the lake, having drunk too much, and driven to quickly. I am continuously passed by young men in vehicles driving too quickly, on curves, crossing double lines.

It amazes me that the young people (ages 15 -19) can rise up on Facebook and protest a few rules, with much of an uproar. Yet when we see victims of the carnage of our roads, we see little response. They do not have a vote. We are the ones who pay through taxes, rising insurance costs, and loss of life. You tell me how any kid was hurt by having rules? Never. Our kids were not allowed to take passengers. They distract the driver. Kids have to show off. They can not be depended upon to drive safely. They risk all of our lives and need to have limits on the privileges, as driving is not their right.

These deaths can be prevented. Traffic laws and the system should be able to predict behaviour, demonstrate serious issue that can be forecast, and protect our citizens. Those who love their friends should speak out when they see them exhibit dangerous behaviour. For those with demerit points, parents need to be proactive and take responsibilty. We forbade our sons from driving with friends until they demonstrated that they had earned the privilege to drive. Graduated licensing is a good idea. Limits never hurt anyone. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. You can help protect society. Speak out and save a life.