Cell phones and other hand held electronic devices no more.

Oct. 19, 2009

Beginning Oct. 26, 2009 Ontario residents willl no longer be able to use cell phones, MP3 players, texting, e-mail, dial and use any other hand held electronic devices while driving. However, this does not mean that Ontarians will not be allowed to talk and drive at the same time.

For example wearing a hands-free headset or using a speakerphone in your car will still be allowed. GPS units which are attached to your dashboard will also be allowed.

Drivers also have some time to get used to this new enforcement. Drivers have over three months to change their habits. Fines of up to $500 will be handed to any driver caught, but Ministry Officials said that police officers will use this 3 month grace period to educate public and tickets will not be written until February 1, 2010.

Other provinces are also following this legislation. Newfoundland and Labrador were the first in 2002, Quebec and Nova Scotia brought in legislation in 2008, and similar legislation is before regional parliament in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Comments:
		Anthony W. Parran (10/25/2009 2:02:30 AM)
		For those of us that are hard of hearing there is a solution using your cell phone. I wear a pair of Oticon EPOQ hearing and wear a Bluetooth streamer/receiver. This streamer is paired to my iPhone, Acer notebook, home telephone and television. As such when I receive a call, by simply pressing the top button on my receiver, the voice information is sent directly to my hearing aids. Instant hands free. I have forgotten the name of the other major hearing aid company but they too offer a similar version. For those concerned and without the latest vehicles offering USB connections, you can get a 12Volt plug that goes into the old
		anna (10/30/2009 9:01:43 AM)
		they should have banned texting while driving only, simple talking on your cell phone had nothing to do with distruction while driving, it's pushing buttons that takes your eyes off the road, talking on hands free still causes distruction and is not a solution.
		Asnir (Saskatchewan) (1/4/2010 9:48:44 PM)
		Saskatchewan just joined this program beginning january 1st 2010. They are less stricked out there though as they let experienced drivers use hands-free devices while driving, but if you're a new driver you will not be allowed to use cellphone.
		Jim (1/26/2010 7:43:31 PM)
		Ontario's grace period is running out at the end of the month, no more warnings will be issued, time to put those cell phones away for good and concentrate on driving.