A new fine in the amount of $167 will begin to be levied on Feb. 1, 2010. If drivers are caught texting or emailing they will receive an additional three penalty points. Further, drivers in the Graduated License Program (GLP) will receive the $167 fine and three penalty points for any violation of this legislation.

Prohibited actions and devices:
No operating or holding hand-held cellphones or other electronic devices.
No sending or reading emails and/or texting (e.g. BlackBerry, PDA, cellphone).
No operating or holding hand-held music or portable gaming devices (e.g. MP3 players, iPods).
No manual programming or adjusting GPS systems, whether built into the vehicle or not, while driving. Settings must be programmed before driving.
Permitted actions and devices:
Hands-free cellphones that are built in or securely fixed to the vehicle, and used by pressing a single button – once only – in order to activate a hands-free device for incoming and outgoing calls.
Pre-programmed and voice-activiated GPS devices.
Two-way radios for industry (e.g. trucking, logging, oil and gas).
Any of the above devices can be used if the vehicle is legally parked and not impeding traffic.
Call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.
Graduated License Drivers (GLP)

In addition to the above restrictions and permitted actions, new drivers are prohibited from using hands-free communications devices, (e.g. cellphones) while driving.

Exemptions to the legislation include police, fire and ambulance personnel who may need to make calls in the performance of their duties, and motorists who need to call 9-1-1.

For more information, please visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/publications/index.htm

Find permitted devices at: http://store.communicationproducts.ca

Suggested Products:

Jabra CRUISER

Jabra Voyager PRO

Plantronics Discovery 975

Many small business owners use their cellular phone like a lifeline. As many cannot be in the office at all times, e-mail, texting and phone calls on the road are essential to staying connected.*

However, on October 26 rules for cellular phone use while driving got a lot stricter in Ontario when changes to the Highway Traffic Act took effect.* British Columbia becomes just the latest province to institute a law banning use of handheld cellular phones. Currently, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island (for graduated drivers), Manitoba (currently in education period), Ontario and British Columbia (to take effect in 2010) all have varying bans in place.

Now, whether or not cellular phone use regulation exists where you work, it makes sense to go hands-free for the safety of yourself and others. To help you make the switch, we researched low cost options for going hands-free in the car.*

* Read More at canadaone.com >>

Options to help you go Hands-Free:

Ear Mounted Bluetooth sets
Jabra GO 6430 The Jabra GO 6430 makes it easy with a full featured Bluetooth® solution that unites your mobile and laptop based voice channels, it makes your mobile office complete.	Plantronics Voyager PRO The Voyager PRO supports Bluetooth 2.1 and EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and Secure Simple Pairing (SSP), making it compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices, including phones, PDAs, and laptop computers.

Don’t like the Ear-Mounted Bluetooth solution?

Jabra CRUISER Speakerphone

Dual microphones for excellent audio Get info via Voice Announcements™ – so you can keep your eyes on the road Crystal clear sound and voice with DSP Play music and calls via car stereo Multiuse™ – connect to 2 devices at the same time No installation needed – just clip it onto the visor Up to 10 hours talk time and up to 13 days standby time

Shop for more Hands-Free solutions at store.communicationproducts.ca >>

CCP was ranked 88 in the Top 100 fastest-growing companies in B.C. in today’s Business in Vancouver.

The study was taken from our growth from 2004-2008.

Congratulations to everyone for their commitment to our team.

See our previous blog entry on past Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies…