Pledge to Ignore
Distracted Driving is now the leading cause of collisions on roads in Ontario. The Pledge to Ignore campaign is designed to help save lives and means making a commitment to yourself or a loved one not to use your cell phone while driving or walking near traffic. Our goal is to obtain as many pledges as possible from residents across York Region. Each pledge represents one less distracted driver.
Distracted Driving Facts
Pledge to Ignore is designed to help save lives. The goal is to obtain as many pledges as possible from residents across York Region at york.ca/pledgetoignore. On the site, there is a pledge counter that tracks the number of pledges received to date. Each pledge represents one less distracted driver.
- Three main types of distraction:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving
- Distracted driving is now the leading cause of traffic collisions in Ontario
- According to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, when drivers take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds, their crash risk doubles
- Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting
- Using a cellphone or device capable of texting while driving can result in a fine from $300 to $1,000 and three demerit points under Section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
- The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario offers the following tips to avoid being distracted while you drive:
- Use your cellphone only when you’re parked, or have a passenger take the call
- Let calls go to voicemail
- Turn off your cellphone before you start driving
- Identify and preset your vehicle’s climate control, radio and CD player
- Plan your route and set your GPS before you leave
- When you’re hungry or thirsty, take a break, don’t eat or drink while you drive
- Avoid other distractions such as reading maps, grooming activities and tending to children and pets
Distracted Walking Facts
The Pledge to Ignore campaign is designed to help save lives and means making a commitment to yourself or a loved one not to use your cell phone while walking near traffic. Our goal is to obtain as many pledges as possible from residents across York Region. Each pledge represents one less distracted walker.
- Avoid walking while you are distracted. Always:
- Walk on available sidewalks — never on the road
- Cross at an intersection or crosswalk
- Obey crossing guards
- When crossing intersections:
- Be visible and indicate your intention to cross
- Turn off or mute any device that impairs your hearing, like an iPod or cell phone
- Do not text or play handheld video games while crossing the road
- Look and listen for traffic in all directions