Uber, delivery drivers should have fixed phones
Ottawa’s reminder on distracted driving gets clarification from police
Uber drivers are expected to obey distracted driving laws, the City of Ottawa says.
On February 3, Ottawa distributed an email headed “Feature Story” providing fairly exhaustive information on Ontario’s distracted driving laws; statistics on high-risk behaviours; and links to sites providing more information.
When Taxi News responded to the email requesting clarification on whether and how these rules apply to rideshare drivers including Uber, City of Ottawa media staff referred us to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) which provided this comment:
“Based on what officers are seeing, the vast majority of Amazon, Uber and other delivery and ride-share drivers are securing their phones to the dash while driving. They can accept/decline fares if their device is properly secured; however, an extended focus would qualify for a charge,” wrote Julie Kavanaugh, Acting Manager of Media Relations for the OPS.
“Our officers are constantly on the lookout for distracted drivers.
“We do not specifically target or keep track of whether a distracted driver is working for a delivery or ride-share company unless it is something that has, for example, been witnessed as a factor leading to a collision.”
The City of Ottawa’s Feature Story reads:
“Every day, we experience countless demands on our time. It seems that doing more than one thing at a time is the only way to keep up – except when you’re driving. Taking your focus away from the road, even for the briefest glance, can have serious consequences. While it may be tempting to check your phone to see who just sent you that text, it can wait.
In Ottawa between 2019 and 2023, 61 per cent of fatal and major injury collisions involved high-risk driving behaviour. In addition to the harm you might cause to yourself or someone else, you could also face legal penalties. For drivers with an A to G licence, a first conviction for distracted driving includes a fine of up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day licence suspension. For a first conviction for novice drivers (with an M1, M2, G1 or G2 class licence) the suspension is 30 days. So, please, stay focused on the road. Every text can wait.
You may also be teaching those dangerous habits to future generations. According to Parachute Canada, a national charity dedicated to injury prevention, children are more likely to text and drive when they grow up if they see their parents or caregivers using phones while driving. We need to lead by example.
Put your focus on the road instead of the phone. These tips can help reduce or even remove the temptation altogether:
- Plan your trip ahead so you don’t need to check for directions enroute.
- Set your phone to ‘Do not disturb’ while you’re driving.
- If you have to check your phone or respond, pull over somewhere safe, well off the road.
- If you have a passenger, give them control of your phone.
Resources
- Check our website for tips on how to avoid dangerous driving distractions.
- The Ottawa Police Service’s Leave The Phone Alone webpage has plenty of information on distraction-free driving, including for young people who are not yet licensed drivers, and a nation-wide campaign to ‘Take the Pledge’.
- The Ontario government has excellent information to help you know what counts as distracted driving and the penalties you could face for it.
When you’re behind the wheel, keep your focus where it matters the most – on your driving. Avoid the cost of a distracted driving conviction and the personal tragedy of a fatal or major injury collision.”
