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Highway Traffic Act s.78.1

Distracted Driving charges in Caledon, Ontario.

Quick Answer — Caledon

Distracted driving in Ontario carries escalating penalties: a $615–$1,000 fine and 3 demerit points on a first conviction, rising to a $615–$3,000 fine, 6 demerit points, and a 30-day licence suspension on a third. Because the charge depends on officer observation, the disclosure — specifically the officer's notes on what was seen — is what we examine first.

Toronto's distracted driving problem is congestion; Caledon's is the opposite. On an empty concession road or a quiet stretch of Airport Road it feels like there is nobody to hit and nobody watching, so the phone comes out. An OPP unit on a rural road has a long clear sightline and very little else to look at, which is a far better observation position than any city officer gets. Point Duty Traffic Court Defence defends Caledon distracted driving charges at the Old Church Road court.

Holding or using a hand-held wireless communication or entertainment device while driving. Escalating penalties: $615 + 3 demerits + 3-day suspension on first conviction, climbing to $3,000 + 6 demerits + 30-day suspension on third.

Courthouse
Caledon Provincial Offences Court
Court Phone
(905) 584-2273
Consultation
Free & Confidential
i.

What the charge means

Section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act prohibits driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device, hand-held electronic entertainment device, or viewing a display screen unrelated to driving. Hands-free use via Bluetooth or a properly mounted device remains permitted.

ii.

Penalties

First conviction: $615 fine, 3 demerit points, 3-day licence suspension. Second conviction within 5 years: $1,000 fine, 6 demerit points, 7-day suspension. Third conviction: $3,000 fine, 6 demerit points, 30-day suspension. Novice drivers face an additional 30-day, 90-day, or full licence cancellation on escalating convictions.

iii.

Available defences

  • Device was mounted (not held) in a securely affixed cradle
  • Hands-free operation via Bluetooth or wired headset
  • Device was not in active use (sitting in a cupholder, off)
  • Officer's view of the device or hand was obstructed
  • Identification of the driver
iv.

The process

Provincial Offences Court. With escalating consequences, repeat offences should not be paid without consultation. First-time charges can often be reduced at Early Resolution.

v.

Notes for Caledon

Caledon traffic and Provincial Offences Act matters from Caledon OPP and the Town of Caledon bylaw are heard at the Caledon POA Court on Old Church Road. Criminal matters from Caledon proceed at the Orangeville Courthouse on Louisa Street.

Traffic / POA Court

Caledon Provincial Offences Court

6311 Old Church Road, Caledon, ON L7C 1J6

(905) 584-2273

Town of Caledon provincial offences only. Dufferin County matters go to the Orangeville POA court, which is a separate operation.

Local practice notes reviewed 2026-09-11

Common Questions — Caledon

Where is a distracted driving charge heard in Caledon?

Caledon distracted driving matters are heard at Caledon Provincial Offences Court, 6311 Old Church Road, Caledon, ON L7C 1J6. The court's number is (905) 584-2273. Point Duty appears there.

Who lays distracted driving charges in Caledon?

In Caledon, distracted driving charges are laid by Peel Regional Police and OPP. The charge is then heard at Caledon Provincial Offences Court.

How long does a distracted driving charge take in Caledon?

Point Duty Traffic Court Defence sees Peel traffic matters run 6 to 12 months from charge to resolution. It varies more here than it does in Toronto, where the range sits at the top of that band rather than across it.

How does the prosecutor handle distracted driving in Caledon?

Peel prosecutors will resolve a matter either way. You can ask for an early resolution meeting, and the trial date is still a live opportunity to deal — a real difference from Toronto, where the prosecutors have been saying resolutions are not available on the date of trial. On a first offence the usual landing spot in Peel is a reduction to a lesser offence. Point Duty Traffic Court Defence works both openings at the Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon courts.

What else should I know about Caledon Provincial Offences Court?

Reopenings can be emailed to the Peel Provincial Offences courts. That is worth knowing if you have dealt with Toronto, where a reopening has to be delivered in person and cannot be emailed. Peel has three separate POA courts — Mississauga on Burnhamthorpe Road, Brampton on Ray Lawson Boulevard and Caledon on Old Church Road — and your ticket goes to the one for the municipality where it was issued.
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