Newfoundland became first Canadian province to ban use of handhel...
Newfoundland became first Canadian province to ban use of handheld cellphones while driving, province’s Govt. Services & Lands Minister Walter Noel announced: “Our legislation bans the use of handheld cellphones by drivers while driving. Passengers may still use them.…
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Drivers will be permitted to use hands-free units… We advise all drivers to avoid using any type of cellphone while operating a vehicle.” Fines will range from $45 to $180 and 4 demerit points on driver’s license, he said. Law won’t go into effect until late March or early April to give govt. time to inform public and prepare administrative procedures, while also giving drivers time to install hands-free phones. Noel said 95% of province’s residents believed cellphone use by drivers was either serious or very serious safety problem, citing August 2001 survey. Police also support new law, he said. Under old laws it was difficult for police to determine whether driver spotted with cellphone was driving unsafely, but new law will make it much easier for enforcement, he said. Hands-free phones in cars also are distraction, he said, but total ban would have much less public support and be too difficult to enforce, he added. With polls indicating 4 of 5 Canadians believe handheld cellphone use by drivers should be illegal, the minister said he expected other provinces would follow Newfoundland’s lead.