All Nova Scotia drivers should be aware that the Provincial Liberal Government is making significant changes to our rules of the road.
First, the name of umbrella legislation the rules are found under is changing from The Motor Vehicle Act to The Traffic Safety Act. The name change alone promotes a broader view of who shares our roads, along with an increased focus on safety. This is important as our roads are not just used by cars and trucks anymore, but also by harder to see motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians, etc.
Consistent with the emphasis on safety, many of the reforms seem rooted in the spike in distracted driving, including the unfortunate prevalence of people using their smartphones while behind the wheel. The rapid pace of technology is another catalyst of these legislative changes.
Examples of New Rules
To promote safety and inclusivity on the road, the new rules will impose harsher fines and suspensions when vulnerable users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists become seriously injured victims or deceased victims of other drivers’ inattention.
The new rules will also forbid any handheld “smartphone” use whatsoever. This broadens the current narrower restriction which only clearly prohibits texting. The “handheld device” fine is also being increased from $295 to $410.
Another interesting change contemplates the anticipated increased use of autonomous vehicles in the future. Specifically the new law will require the driver to maintain control of the vehicle at all times. This sounds trite, but in theory, with a truly self-driving vehicle an individual could sit in the back seat, allowing themselves to become a passenger and unable to course correct if things go wrong.
How will the New Rules Impact Me?
If you have any questions or comments about these new rules that will come into force in approximately two years, or if you have any questions about car accidents or injury law in general, please call Lenehan Musgrave to schedule a free consultation: 902 466 2200.
You can also reach Sean Layden directly at 902-466-1353 or sean@lenehanmusgravelaw.ca
And Daniel Wood directly at 902-466-2616 or daniel@lenehanmusgravelaw.ca
