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B.C. & Ontario: Cellphone ban now in full effect

By Kate O'Brien on January 31, 2010 in Mobile News, Various News

For Ontario and British Columbia drivers the grace period and the “The educational phase is over” for the recent ban of using handheld devices while driving.

In Ontario, Bill 118, “Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act” went info effect on October 26th. In B.C. they implemented the law a month ago but starting tomorrow both provinces will have police officially start ticketing rather than just giving warning to drivers who are caught using handheld devices while driving. This includes talking, texting, e-mailing, web or GPS.

Over the past few months some tickets have been issued, but more warning than anything. In Ontario police handed out 64 tickets and over 3,300 warning. The fine for violating the law is a minimum $155 to a max of $500, plus demerit points. In B.C. drivers could face a fine of $167 if caught.

OPP Sgt. Pierre Chamberland said “People seem to be pretty accepting of it… The educational phase is over…distracted drivers are a safety risk to themselves and to everyone else on the roadway. Everybody has a responsibility to pay attention when they are driving… It’s common sense.”

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Related posts:

  1. Ontario’s ban of cellphone use while driving in effect October 26th
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  3. Ontario ban of cellphone use while driving starts today!
  4. Ontario to ban use of cellphone while driving?

Discussion

11 comments for “B.C. & Ontario: Cellphone ban now in full effect”

  1. L-A-M-E

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Landon | January 31, 2010, 12:05 pm

  2. In the past week I’ve seen 3 minor fender benders. Assume the drivers were not on their cell phones… what happens when you add that to the equation. I believe there are many people capable of talking and driving and doing so safely. Unfortunately, I also believe those are the minority.

    Those that are upset because THEY can do it, is understandable. But the reality is most people cannot. Take pride in that you can multitask but lead by example and get out those bluetooth devices.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by EJ | January 31, 2010, 12:52 pm

  3. This legislation is long overdue,but in spite of the more than three month educational period, in Ontario at least, there will still be a fair number of idiots who will think it doesn’t apply to them.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by William Culleton | January 31, 2010, 4:11 pm

  4. Lame is what will happen to you when you get into an accident because you are too busy texting.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by joe | January 31, 2010, 4:40 pm

  5. why is this lame?
    People who drive and are being distracted by their handhelds should be ticketed. I just wish that they had no grace period whatsoever…ok maybe 2 weeks notice.

    These folks drive absolutely horribly when theyre on their phones and its not just the women but men as well which is actually quite surprising.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Umair Khalid | January 31, 2010, 5:05 pm

  6. i personally think this is well implemented seeing as people’s lives are potentially in danger. ignorant people who do get into accidents and cause a death cannot reverse the results and therefore should be strictly enforced. This however does not prevent us from using the devices as it is only for those who are holding them while driving… safety first!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by chris | January 31, 2010, 5:15 pm

  7. Why would using a hand held devise while driving be banned but not eating while driving? I think it’s harder to eat a big Mac and fries while driving than sending a text. I would know im obese.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Latesha | January 31, 2010, 6:32 pm

  8. When we drive its time to give our full attention to the road, just like anything else we do there is a time and a place for everything. What really blows me away is why were people not smart enough to know this in the first place.Wonder how we got by for 100 years prior to this foolishness.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by vic booth | January 31, 2010, 7:13 pm

  9. From what I have seen on the roads in Ontario a min $ 150 fine per offence should get this province out a deficit in no time.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Hankster | January 31, 2010, 8:31 pm

  10. i still dont understand why governments ban you holding the device, but say “if you use a bluetooth device thats fine” the fact is, you are still engaged in a conversation, the brain has limitation of what to pay attention to and driving uses a big portion of that. i dont think this will do anything other suck money unless you ban bluetooth usage too.

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    Posted by mark | January 31, 2010, 9:15 pm

  11. smoking and driving should be illegal too -tys

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by tyson faa | February 2, 2010, 3:01 am

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