The Intel Scenarios of Distracted Driving

Scenarios that can get you a distracted driving traffic ticket by using a cell phone while driving.

When we meet clients who have distracted driving cell phone tickets, we always inform them of real life scenarios and if you do this, you will get a cell phone ticket if caught behind the wheel. Here are the common scenarios drivers thought it was perfectly legal, but got a ticket anyways.

1) Mounting their smartphone onto their dashboard and using GPS on their maps app.

GPS Brands such as Garmin, Magellan, TomTom etc would be a wiser choice in this scenario. If you use the GPS on your smartphone while driving, it is illegal.

2) Plugging in their smartphone at a red light because it was going to die.

This is quite common, and you may think that its not really an issue, but if an officer saw you holding the phone and plugging it into a charger, the logical belief from their perception is you are using the phone while driving on the roadway. If your phone is running out of battery and you absolutely need it to be charged, then we suggest you to pull over somewhere, put your car in park and then plug it in. It seems like a hassle but those few seconds could cost you 5 demerits. It has been executed numerous times since the law came into effect in Manitoba on July 1, 2015.

3) Talking to Siri while driving is not allowed.

Drivers may believe because they are not physically holding or tapping the screen of an electronic device, but simply communicating to Siri is a loop hole around the law. We can clearly tell you it is not, since you are still using the smartphones features while operating a motor vehicle on the roadway, it is still illegal.

4) Listening to music while driving using headphones connected to an MP3 player.

First let’s define this—when we say MP3 player, we mean an electronic device that can only play music. This isn’t the same as listening to music or podcasts from a smartphone. However it is legal to listen to an MP3 player while driving but having only one earbud in your ear while in motion. If you are using both earbuds, then it is illegal and a driver can get a ticket for that.

People ask us if there are any exceptions using a cell phone while driving?

Yes. If it is an emergency such as calling 911 or sending a text message to your local police force, ambulance or fire department requesting for immediate assistance. Using a hands free feature built into your car via Bluetooth is also allowed while in motion.

As always if you get a distracted driving traffic ticket violation and are looking to save yourself time, give yourself peace of mind and want to save as much points as possible, please fill out our contact form and send us a message or call us at 204-588- 6191.