Prince Edward Island (PEI) is the latest province to enact hands-free legislation that prohibits the use of a handheld electronic device, including cell phones, while driving.

The new PEI law will officially come into effect tomorrow: Saturday, January 23, 2010. Fines for offenders will range from $250 to $400, and three demerit points; making it one of the most severe punishments in Canada (most fines hover in the $100 range with the exception of Saskatchewan, where it’s $280 and up to four demerit points.)

Read more…

Similarly, with legislations in Ontario, B.C., and Saskatchewan as of February 1; officers will begin the process with warnings before dolling out tickets in full force.

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 >>

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 -

Prepare yourself with some of our hands-free solutions from our store.communicationproducts.ca:

Voyager 835 Bluetooth Headset	Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset
BT8040 Bluetooth Stereo Headset	SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

A new law that bans using hand-held devices to talk, email, or send text messages while behind the wheel has been passed by the Ontario legislature.

The new rules, includes a fine of up to $500 as the province joins other jurisdictions in cracking down on drivers using the devices.

The law doesn’t affect the use of hands-free devices such as Bluetooths or using cellphones for 911 calls, but it does include portable video games, MP3 players and DVD players.

For the full story, visit http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/22/driving-ban.html

Try this hands-free driver-friendly product in your vehicle:

Driver friendly – the Jabra SP700 offers a new level of usability and safety for Bluetooth speakerphones. Intuitive voice announcements give you the speakerphone’s status so you can keep your eyes on the road. Plus, excellent audio quality is guaranteed thanks to the advanced DSP noise reduction & echo cancellation that insure crystal clear sound quality on both sides of the call.

The Ontario government tabled legislation that will ban text messaging and emailing while driving and force motorists to use hands-free, voice-activated equipment when making calls on their cellphones. The move would make Ontario the fourth province to enact such a ban, following Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Here’s what is banned:

* cellphones, even at a stop light
* dialing
* BlackBerrys
* texting
* hand-held GPS

Read more on “Ontario to restrict…” or Read more at Globe & Mail…

Prepare yourself with some of our hands-free solutions from our store.communicationproducts.ca:

Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset	Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset
BT4010 Bluetooth Headset	SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

TORONTO — Driving and talking on a handheld cellphone no longer mix in Quebec and Nova Scotia, and Manitoba is considering a similar ban amid compelling evidence that distracted motorists are a danger on the road. Click here for article