In The News
All Canadian provinces now ban hand-held phones while driving
New Brunswick will be the last province to begin enforcing a ban on the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving once enforcement begins April 1.
Introduced as a provincial bill in the fall of 2010, the ban applies to the handling or manipulation of hand-held cell phones, texting devices and portable entertainment devices while driving. It also prohibits the manual programming of GPS units while driving.
TVs, monitors, DVD players and computer screens will not be permitted in New Brunswick “within the visual range of the operator or driver of a motor vehicle,†according to information released by the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety. Violators will be subject to fines of $172.50 plus three penalty points on a driver’s license.
Each of Canada’s 10 provinces has enacted bans on the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving. Following is a roundup as posted on provincial websites and at handsfreeinfo.com.
British Columbia
– Law enforcement wrote 32,665 distracted-driving tickets during the first year of a texting and hand-held phone ban that began in January 2010. Penalties include fines of $167 and the possibility of three points assessed to a driver’s license.
Alberta
– Enforcement of the province’s distracted-driving law began in February of this year. Texting and hand-held communications are banned while driving. Violations lead to fines of $172 but no demerit points on a driver’s license. Alberta’s law, Bill 16, applies to a broader range of distractions including “personal grooming†while behind the wheel. Truckers are seeking clarifications on CB radios and GPS devices.
Saskatchewan
– Texting and hand-held use of phones while driving was banned in a law that was passed in November 2009 and took effect in January 2010. The penalty for violation is a $280 fine plus a victims’ surcharge of $60 and four demerit points on a driver’s license. Hands-free use of phones is allowed except for new drivers enrolled in the graduated license program.
Manitoba
– The province banned texting while driving and hand-held use of phones while driving in a June 2009 law that took effect July 15, 2010. The law extends to talking, texting or using an electronic device other than in hands-free mode. Fines for violations are $200.
Ontario
– Fines of $155 to $500 are possible in the hand-held phone ban and texting ban that took effect in February 2010. Drivers may pull over to use a hand-held phone, but not while stopped in traffic. If a driver injures or kills someone as a result of distracted driving, fines of $1000 and six demerit points on a license are possible. Law enforcement has handed out nearly 50,000 tickets so far.
Quebec
– The government passed new road safety measures in April 2008, including a ban on the hand-held cell phones and texting while driving. The ban took effect July 1, 2008, and carries fines of $80 to $100 plus costs and three demerit points on a driver’s license. The same set of safety laws included a speed-limiter requirement on heavy trucks.
New Brunswick
– Enforcement begins April 1 on the texting and hand-held phone ban while driving. Fines for violations are $172.50. New Brunswick is the last province to enforce a hand-held ban on cell phones for drivers.
Nova Scotia
– Nova Scotia began enforcing a law in April 2008 to ban hand-held cell phones and texting for drivers while behind the wheel. Fines of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for a third offense are possible.
Newfoundland and Labrador
– Newfoundland was the first province to ban hand-held cell phones in vehicles dating back to 2002, with fines ranging from $45 to $180 plus four demerit points on a driver’s license.
Prince Edward Island
– Use of electronic hand-held devices was banned Jan. 23, 2010. Fines of $250 to $400 are possible with three demerit points on a driver’s license.
Canada’s three territories, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, are reportedly working on distracted-driving laws.
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