The first day of September was also the first day that the new distracted driver laws – called the Making Ontario Roads Safer Act, or Bill 31 — came into effect. Ironically, its advent saw a marked increase in the number of car accidents that day.

A string of collisions in Toronto resulted in injuries significant enough to require at least one person to be airlifted to the hospital. When a truck collided with a car in Thornhill on September 1, it resulted in a victim declared to be in critical condition. Elsewhere, in Newmarket, a sewage truck was hit and caused it to scatter garbage all over the intersection, while in Peel Region a transport truck turned over (no injuries were reported, however).

It’s unclear whether distracted driving was the cause of any of the accidents, since investigations are still ongoing, so it is quite possible the connection between these accidents and the introduction of the Making Ontario Roads Safer Act is correlative and not causative. However, it is interesting that the day that the Making Ontario Roads Safer Act came into force saw so many accidents.

We would like to remind you once again to refrain from driving while distracted. Examples of distracted driving includes talking on a cell phone while driving, texting while driving, applying make-up while driving, and even drinking and eating while driving. The repercussions can be dangerous or even fatal. We want you and others to drive safely. If, however, you find yourself the victim of a car accident, please don’t hesitate to speak to an accident lawyer to understand your rights.