Hands-free only for chatty drivers
B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed needs more prison space.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: October 21, 2009 9:28 PM
VICTORIA – Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel.
That's the word from B.C. Public Safety Minister Kash Heed, who introduced new legislation Wednesday to ban texting, emailing and holding the phone to your head when driving.
"Simply put, you cannot talk, type or dial on any hand-held device while driving," Heed said.
A fine of $167 will be enforced on Feb. 1, 2010 for "distracted driving" offenses. Hands-free phone conversations will still be allowed, except for new drivers who have no calling privileges at all. Only "one-touch" functions can be activated without pulling over to park.
Texting and typing while driving is more expensive. For that, the $167 ticket will also add three penalty points. Drivers in the graduated licensing program will also get three points plus the fine for any violation of the new mobile phone legislation.
The law will also prohibit operation of hand-held game machines and iPods or other MP3 music players while driving. Manually adjusting or programming GPS navigation devices will also be prohibited.
TWITTER TALK ABOUT PROPOSED CELL PHONE BAN
why_yy: I'm good w a ban while DRIVING, but how abt red light dialing?
PuddleFairy: It's gonna be illegal to talk on my cell phone and drive in the New Year!! Uh oh.
babe_604: cell phone ban? pfft. not in logistics world.
sarahloewen: It's about time!
peterlouwe: Ban doesn't go far enough. Do pedestrians on cellphones walk into oncoming traffic because they don't have hands-free?
peterlouwe: Flawed leg as every study shows its your attention that suffers when on phone. Hands free just as bad.
petequily: Good start by BC Min. Kash Heed on bill for idiots who use drive & use cell phone But should ban hands free ones too
vaarstad: Re: Cellphone ban. Probably a good thing. Less drivers who are distracted... less accidents.
Candice1980: after yesterdays incounter with a reckless driver on a cellphone cutting me & 4 other cars off, i am for it. hope its enforced!
typefaster: so happy about this.
darthchilli: wanna ban talking to your passenger too? hahah
typefaster: hallelujah!
CrazyCamaro: CELL PHONES BANNED FROM DRIVING!!ABOUT TIME THESES ADDICTED CELL DRIVERS GET BIG FINES !
