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

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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.

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…

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“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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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

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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…

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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