Distracted driving and fatigued driving

On this page

• Laws
• Reporting distracted driving
• Help reduce distracted driving
• Help reduce fatigued driving
• Learn more

When a driver is distracted or fatigued (mentally and/or physically), they may not be fully focused on the road. Distractions and fatigue can compromise your judgment and affect your ability to drive safely.

Examples of distracted driving can include driving while:

• talking and using a mobile device
• texting
• reading (for example, books, maps)
• programming a GPS
• watching videos
• eating or drinking
• smoking or vaping
• grooming
• adjusting the radio
• listening to extremely loud music
• talking to passengers

Distracted driving can lead to:

• reduced reaction time
• impaired judgment
• possibly falling asleep behind the wheel
• injuring or killing yourself, your passengers and/or other people

Laws

The legal impacts of distracted driving can vary depending on the circumstances, and in which province or territory the offence took place. In some provinces, a person can be fined over $500, lose up to 4 demerit points and have their licence suspended.

Consult your provincial or territorial legislation for the penalties that apply where you live.

Reporting distracted driving

If you see a hazardous driver swerving or driving erratically:

• Safely pull over away from traffic with your hazard lights on
• Call 9-1-1
• Provide as many details as you can, including the direction in which the car was going, the street it was on, and the make and model of the vehicle; the licence plate number can help too

Do NOT call 9-1-1 if you spot someone using their phone who is not displaying dangerous driving behaviour. Instead, call your local police’s non-emergency line to report it. Find the number for your area on your local police service’s website.

Help reduce distracted driving

Driving requires your full attention. Here are some tips to help avoid distracted driving:Plan your route ahead of timeBefore you get in the car, know where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Plan how much time you’ll need to reach your destination, road closures to avoid and best time to leave. If you use a GPS system, program your route prior to starting the car. If possible, set your GPS to call out the turns. Have the volume set so you can hear the instructions and do not need to glance down to view the GPS.Put your cellphone awayKeep your cellphone out of your reach. Reduce the temptation to use it by keeping it out of sight, like in a bag, and turn the ringer off. Most smartphones can now be setup to send an auto reply when you receive a text or phone call while driving.Notify your passengersPassengers in your vehicle is a common distraction. Some provinces limit the number of passengers that are allowed with a younger driver. Advise your passengers to be quiet if a risky situation arises on the road. Silence can help when deciding on the safest actions to take.Avoid eating and drinking while drivingIf you need to take a drink, wait until you are stopped at a red light.Keep music or radio at a reasonable volumeMusic should never be so loud that you would not be able to hear a siren, or the screech of brakes from another vehicle.Keep personal grooming for the homeDon’t apply makeup, shave, use creams or brush your teeth while driving.Secure objects in the vehiclePlace any items like purses, backpacks and coats in the trunk or safely tucked behind the seat on the ground so they will not go flying if you have to brake in an emergency. Don’t reach for items while driving.

Help reduce fatigued driving

You can’t always predict when you will begin feeling drowsy. Remember that if you are struggling to stay awake, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.

Everyone gets tired, so here are some tips to help reduce the risk of fatigued driving:

• Plan ahead to make sure you get enough sleep before you go on a trip
• On long trips, switch drivers every few hours; you shouldn’t be driving to the point of exhaustion
• Don’t schedule trips during your usual wake-up and bed times
• Drive during daylight hours when possible
• Travel with someone who can help keep you alert
• Take a nap before driving

10-year-old who was shot in road rage incident was on her way to school, parents say

Default Mono Sans Mono Serif Sans Serif Comic Fancy Small CapsDefault X-Small Small Medium Large X-Large XX-LargeDefault Outline Dark Outline Light Outline Dark Bold Outline Light Bold Shadow Dark Shadow Light Shadow Dark Bold Shadow Light BoldDefault Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Default Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%A 10-year-old girl in Texas was shot during a road rage incident Friday morning. (KSAT)

By Katrina Webber, KSAT via CNN Newsource

SAN ANTONIO (KSAT) – A Texas girl is in the hospital after she was shot during a road rage incident Friday.

It happened as the 10-year-old’s parents were on their way to drop her off at school.

It’s part of a crime scene now, but the bullet hole in the door near the seat where his 10-year-old daughter had been sitting is a memory Jason Gates would prefer to forget.

“So, she got shot right here, and I kept telling my wife, I said, ‘Babe, you need to pull over,’” Gates, the girl’s father, said.

The family called for help before 7:30 a.m. from a parking lot near Bandera Road and Callaghan Road in San Antonio.

A car initially pulled out aggressively in front of them near Wurzbach Road and Timberhill Drive, according to Gates and San Antonio police.

“My wife was on the horn, but she was on the horn no more than three seconds,” Gates described.

Apparently, that was long enough to anger the person in the other car, who then fired the shot without the family fully realizing it.

Gates said his daughter, whom he identified as Alisa, was hit by the bullet fired by someone in another car.

Even before he noticed the bullet hole, Gates said he started to get an inkling that something had happened. He remembered starting to smell gunpowder.

“My wife looks at my daughter and says, ‘Did you get shot?’ My daughter says, ‘No,’” Gates said.

They soon found out she had suffered what San Antonio police called a life‑threatening gunshot wound.

What was supposed to be a usual drop off at school for Gates’ daughter ended with her in surgery at a hospital.

While he has high hopes for her recovery, Gates said the van’s days are numbered.

“I told my wife, I said, ‘So, how are we going to do it? We got a bullet hole inside of the car.’ And she goes, ‘I don’t want the car no more,’” Gates said.

The family would like to see the van, and the bad memories of that day, disappear.

Police have made an arrest in connection with the shooting.

The 41-year-old suspect, identified as Bryan Arceo, is facing several charges, including aggravated assault for recklessly discharging a firearm.

Copyright 2026 KSAT via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving

It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.

This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.

For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.

The law still applies to you if you’re:

• stopped at traffic lights
• queuing in traffic
• supervising a learner driver
• driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
• holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode

Exceptions

You can use a device held in your hand if:

• you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
• you’re safely parked
• you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant
• you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

Using devices hands-free

You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example:

• a Bluetooth headset
• voice command
• a dashboard holder or mat
• a windscreen mount
• a built-in sat nav

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.

Staying in full control of your vehicle

You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.

Penalties

You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle.

You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years.

You can get 3 penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.

You can also be taken to court where you can:

• be banned from driving or riding
• get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)