No, applying makeup while driving is illegal in Canada under distracted driving laws, as it impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Provincial statutes classify it as a form of inattentive driving, with penalties including fines up to $1,000 and demerit points in jurisdictions like Ontario and British Columbia. The Canada Safety Council warns that even brief distractions can double reaction times, aligning with 2026 Transport Canada’s push for stricter distracted driving enforcement.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Canada
- Criminal Code (s. 253(1)): Prohibits driving while attention is diverted, encompassing any activity that compromises control, including makeup application.
- Provincial Highway Traffic Acts: Specific bans exist in Ontario (HTA s. 78.1), Alberta (RSA 115(2)), and Quebec (Highway Safety Code s. 436), with fines ranging from $110 to $500.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Transport Canada’s National Safety Code drafts propose harsher penalties for “secondary activities,” including makeup use, with mandatory education programs for repeat offenders.