Workers on the road
Be extra careful when driving through construction zones and areas where people are working on or near the road.
When approaching a construction zone, slow down and obey all warning signs and people who are directing traffic through the area. In the construction zone, drive carefully and adjust your speed and driving to suit the conditions. Obey posted speed limits, do not change lanes, be ready for sudden stops and watch for workers and construction vehicles on the road and give them more room to ensure everyone’s safety.
Traffic control people are used at work zones to control vehicle traffic and prevent conflicts between construction activity and traffic. Whether you are driving during the day or at night, watch for traffic control people and follow their instructions.
Treat people working on roads with respect and be patient if traffic is delayed. Sometimes traffic in one direction must wait while vehicles from the other lane pass through a detour. If your lane is blocked and no one is directing traffic, yield to the driver coming from the opposite direction. When the way is clear, move slowly and carefully around the obstacle.
Animals on the road
You may come upon farm animals or wild animals on the road, especially in farming areas and in the northern parts of the province.
Animal crossing signs warn drivers where there is a known danger of large animals, such as moose, deer or cattle, stepping onto the road, but small animals may appear anywhere. Always be alert for animals and ready to react.
Look well ahead. At night, use your highbeams where possible. When you see an animal, brake or slow down if you can without risk to vehicles behind you. If there is no traffic and no danger of colliding with any other object, steer around the animal, staying in control of your vehicle.
In some areas of the province horse-drawn carriages may use the road. Be prepared to share the road with them.
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Cellular phones
Cellular phones can be an important safety aid for drivers. Many people use their phones to report crimes and collisions and for personal safety when they are lost or their vehicle breaks down.
But using a cellular phone while driving takes a driver’s attention from the business of driving. Distracted drivers are more likely to make a driving error or to react too slowly. As more and more people use cellular phones, it is important that they be used safely.
Make it a habit to use your cellular phone only when you are parked, or have a passenger use the phone. If you are driving and your phone rings, let your cellular voice mail service take the call and listen to the message later when you are parked.
If you must use a cellular phone when driving, use a hands-free microphone. Make sure your phone is easy to see and reach and that you know how to use it. Use voice-activated or speed dialing and never take notes while driving.
Currently, there is no law against using a cellular phone while driving, but you can be charged with dangerous or careless driving if you cause a collision while using one.
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Driver distractions
Driving is a job that requires your full attention every time you get behind the wheel. As a driver, you must always remember to reduce distractions and focus on your driving. Your first responsibility is to road safety.
There are a number of possible driver distractions including:
- Using technology devices such as cell phones, laptops or hand-held organizers
- Reading maps, directions or other material
- Grooming (combing hair, putting on make-up or shaving)
- Eating or drinking
- Taking notes
- Talking with passengers
- Tending to children or pets
- Adjusting the controls in your vehicle (radio, CD player or climate control)
Careless driving is a serious offence. Police can charge drivers with careless driving if drivers do not pay full attention to their driving. If you are convicted of careless driving, you will get six demerit points and can be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to up to six months in jail. In some cases, your licence may be suspended for up to two years. This is one of Ontario's toughest rules of the road.
Tips to reduce driver distractions
- Attend to personal grooming and plan your route before you
leave.
- Identify and preset your vehicle's climate control, radio
and CD player.
- Make it a habit to pull over and park to use your cell phone
or have a passenger take the call or let it go to voice mail.
- Put reading material in the trunk if you are tempted to
read.
- Do not engage in emotional or complex conversations. Stress
can also affect your driving performance.
- When you are hungry or thirsty, take a break from driving.
Remember to focus on your driving at all times. A split-second distraction behind the wheel can result in injury or even death.
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Emergency vehicles
If you hear the bell or siren of a police, fire, ambulance or public utility emergency vehicle, or see its lights flashing, you must get out of the way. On a two-way road, stop as close as possible to the right-hand side of the road and clear of any intersection.
On a one-way road with more than two lanes, stop as close as possible to the nearest edge of the road and clear of any intersection. Wait until the emergency vehicle has passed.
It is illegal to follow an on-duty fire vehicle or ambulance within 150 metres in any lane going in the same direction.
Some volunteer firefighters use a flashing green light if they have to use their personal vehicles to respond to a fire. Courteous drivers yield the right-of-way to these vehicles.
© 2003 Queen's Printer for Ontario
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