Changes to the Highway Traffic Act will take effect September 1, 2016. The venerable legislation has been updated many times since first enacted in 1923 and the latest ones reflect changing times. Distracted driving is already mentioned in the act but it is such a seductive and lethal infraction the fines will now go up from $200 to $490 if you get caught. There are also demerit points and suspensions on conviction. Pedestrian crossovers will now require drivers to wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road at crossovers and school crossings before proceeding. It raises concerns about whether the last pedestrian has to have both feet on the sidewalk before a vehicle moves. Who knows. But no doubt the police will be watching because it will be an easy one to catch violators.
POLITE DANCE BETWEEN CARS AND BIKES
Passing cyclists will now require drivers to leave one metre of room wherever possible. Sanity seems to have insisted on the words “wherever possible” because other cars, joggers, lane width and God knows what else have a way of breaking in on the polite dance which we all have as our dearest wish for cars and bikes. The so-called “move over law” will require drivers to slow and move into another lane when passing emergency vehicles. It’s a good idea but will also be easy to break because there are going to be lots of times when that rule requires a driver to come to a dead stop in order to make a lane change. Just saying. Finally, those caught driving under the influence of drugs will now face the same penalties as drunk drivers, the ministry said. Seems reasonable.
