Ride-share driver stopped for watching YouTube while transporting passenger on Ottawa’s Highway 417

A ride-share driver was caught watching YouTube on his phone while driving. As CTV's Katie Griffin reports, it's part of a growing trend of distracted driving.

A ride-share driver is facing a $615 fine after being caught watching YouTube while transporting a passenger in Ottawa.

Ontario Provincial Police say an officer observed a driver watching a video on their cellphone while driving on Highway 417 Tuesday night.

“The fare likely won’t cover the $615 ticket,” the OPP said on X, noting the fine for distracted driving is $615.

“It will also cost the driver three demerit points and a three-day driving suspension upon conviction.”

Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, distracted driving includes viewing “display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video.”

“You are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth,” the Ontario government’s website says. “You can view GPS display screens as long as they are built into your vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted on the dashboard.”

Police say the driver told the officer he wasn’t watching the video, just listening to it. It’s still an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.

“Any entertainment device or screen display that is available to the driver, so it can be mounted on the dashboard even if you’re not looking at it, if it’s available to the driver, is an offence,” said OPP Const. Jean-Michel Tremblay told CTV News Ottawa.

The Ottawa Detachment of the OPP laid 198 distracted driving charges in 2024, up from 118 the year before.

Distracted driving can also have fatal consequences.

“Between 2012 and 2021, there [were] over 365 OPP-investigated collisions that resulted in death, all related to distracted driving,” Tremblay said.

Police say when you’re behind the wheel, leave the phone alone.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin