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

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.”