Some drivers have hang-ups about the law

Emily Mathieu

STAFF REPORTER

Ontario is planning to become the latest province to restrict the use of hand-held cellphones and electronic devices for drivers.

But that doesn't mean everyone will be hanging up once they're behind the wheel.

Nova Scotia put a province-wide ban on hand-held cellphones for drivers into effect in April.

"We have what we feel is good co-operation," said Staff Sgt. Brenda Zima of Halifax Regional Police. "For us it's a no-brainer. The less (you're) doing when you are behind the wheel the better."

The ban came on the tail of a highly publicized awareness campaign and there was a grace period when first implemented, Zima said.

"Certainly, we are writing tickets now," but not a lot. She said drivers who need to communicate in their car still have options.

"We do see people on their Bluetooth and that is fine because it's hands-free," said Zima.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the ban has been in place since 2003, but one police spokesperson said it's difficult to gauge how effective it has been.

"Whenever a law is enacted there is always a percentage of people who will obey the law, but there is always a percentage of people who don't care," said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Wayne Newell.

He said cellphone use while driving is still prevalent in the province.

"It's enforced when we see it, but we can't be everywhere," he said.

What the ban does is give officers a way to be more proactive, issuing tickets rather than making arrests after a cellphone-related crash.

The Progressive Conservatives have expressed concern that enforcing the ban in Ontario could prove difficult, even though Tory MPP John O'Toole (Durham) has proposed bans in several private members' bills over the years.

"There are concerns of how you police something like this. What are we going to do, give additional training to police?" said Bob Runciman, the party's interim leader in the legislature. The police are already overstretched, he added.

"We all have concerns about people driving and being on a cellphone, but also we have to make sure that whatever we do makes sense, is practical, enforceable and not just a PR gimmick."

Ontario Provincial Police are waiting to see Transportation Minister Jim Bradley's bill before commenting in detail, but Insp. Dave Ross said, "We support any legislation that will make the highways safer" and reduce accidents.

"Distracted drivers are a major factor," he told the Star. "Any factor that takes drivers' attention away from the road is a concern ... "

With files from Rob Ferguson and Tanya Talaga

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