Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Mayor Ford admits reading while driving

Mayor Rob Ford admitted to reading while driving on the Gardiner Expressway on Aug. 14, 2012. Courtesy of @RyanGHaughton
 

Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to reading while driving on the Gardiner Expressway after a photo of him went viral on Twitter.

Ford was answering questions Tuesday morning while at a news conference about a business mission he’s leading in Chicago.


When a reporter asked him about the Twitter picture which showed him reading papers while driving near Jameson Avenue, he admitted to doing so. The photo has since been taken down.


“Yeah, probably,” he said. “I’m busy. I’m trying to catch up on my work and keep my eyes on the road. But I’m a busy man.


“I don’t know what that has to do with the trade mission, but anyways. Ridiculous questions sometimes, seriously.”


Haughton later said traffic was moving at about 70 km/h when the photo was taken.


Toronto police could not be reached immediately for comment.


In June, Ford got into a spat with a TTC operator who claimed the mayor drove past the open doors of a streetcar on Dundas Street West, near McCaul. Ford said he passed the closed rear doors, but followed the law and stopped behind the front ones, which were still open.


And last year, two people said they saw Ford using his cellphone while he was driving downtown on separate occasions.


The mayor’s press secretary at the time would only confirm one of the allegations, but added he has been diligent about using the hands-free system in his car.


Those who use hand-held mobile devices while behind the wheel can be fined $155 under Ontario's distracted driving law. 
 
 

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