Ontario considering developing "safe texting zones" on highways

Ontario is considering putting signs on highways to alert drivers about areas where they can safely pull over to text or check their emails.

All three parties voted in favour on second reading of a private member's bill from Progressive Conservative Vic Fedeli to create so-called safe texting zones.

Fedeli says signs on highways would inform drivers about 185 existing areas such as commuter parking lots, transit stations and rest stops where they can safely pull off to use their smart phones or tablets.

He says increased fines aren't enough to curb distracted driving, which the OPP say was a factor in 69 deaths on provincial highways last year.

It was the third straight year that distracted driving was blamed for more highway deaths in Ontario than any other factor.