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

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If passed, the changes to the Motor Vehicle Act will take effect on Jan. 1, 2010. At that point, only hands-free cellphones and devices that require one touch to activate will be permitted.

A new fine of $167 can be handed out as of Feb. 1, 2010. If drivers are caught texting or emailing they will also receive three penalty points on their driving record.

Read more at CTV BC…

Get your Hands-Free Headset today at store.communicationproducts.ca:

“It’s official…maybe. Minister Jim Bradley says that the hands-free ban that was confirmed earlier this year for the province of Ontario will “likely” come into effect by October. Starting that month, drivers found chatting on a cell phone or operating a handheld wireless gadget in a car while driving could face hefty fines.

While the use of handheld electronic devices will be strictly forbidden under Bill 118, motorists can still use hands-free accessories, like Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones. Drivers will also be allowed to depress the button requires to power up these units, like portable GPS devices, but no further manipulation of them while driving will be permitted. Fines can go as high as $500.” - Market News -

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BT8040 Bluetooth Stereo Headset	SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone