B.C. and Ontario Now Enforcing ‘Distracted Driving’ Laws

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B.C. and Ontario Now Enforcing ‘Distracted Driving’ Laws

12:43 am on February 1, 2010 | Category: Mobile Devices, Cell Phones, Regulation

Beginning today, police officers in Ontario and British Columbia will be enforcing new ‘distracted driving’ laws in earnest, fining motorists who use a handheld cell phone or other mobile device behind the wheel.

Ontario’s anti-cell phone law came into effect on October 26 and British Columbia followed suit on January 1. Up until now, however, both provinces have only issued warning tickets with no fines or demerit points attached.

“Police have been stopping drivers throughout January to give them warnings about talking on a cellphone, and people seem to be getting the message and changing their behaviour,” commented B.C. Solicitor General, Kash Heed.

An ICBC survey in downtown Vancouver spotted 116 drivers talking on the phone during rush hour in December, but only 31 last week.

B.C. drivers will not be fined $167 for each ‘distracted driving’ infraction, while Ontario motorists will have to shell out $155.