All-Party Support for Fedeli Texting Zone Bill
March 9, 2017QUEEN’S PARK – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is very pleased members of all Parties in the Legislature voted today to combat distracted driving by supporting his Private Members’ Bill, the Safe Texting Zones Act, which would create designated highway ‘texting zones’.
Bill 19 also received endorsement from several stakeholders including the Canadian Automobile Association, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Desjardins, Aviva, and the Ontario Safety League.
“Texting while driving poses a major risk for drivers and those they share the road with,” said Fedeli. “Distracted driving deaths in Ontario have surpassed those of impaired driving for the eight consecutive year.”
The Bill would authorize the government to designate any of the 185 already-existing rest stops, commuter parking lots, transit stations, service or other areas as a ‘texting zone’ and require signage be displayed at or approaching it.
“Designating specific ‘texting zones’, as New York State did in 2013, would be especially helpful in reducing distracted driving on rural and Northern highways where cell service can be intermittent and there are long distances between rest stops,” Fedeli added.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, research shows that drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a collision than drivers who focus on the road.
“The Safe Texting Zones Act sends a clear message that there is no longer an excuse for drivers who endanger themselves and those they share the road with by texting and driving,” Fedeli said. “I look forward to the bill coming before Committee.”