Man. cell phone ban starts July 15

Drivers caught texting or using handheld cellphonesin Manitoba face steep fines as of July 15.

That's when alaw banning those activities comes into effect, Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced Thursday.

"We know the hazards that distracted drivers create on our roads. Talking on a hand-held cellphone and texting are major distractions while driving and we're moving to make our roads safer for all Manitobans," Ashton stated in a government news release.

'Driving a motor vehicle requires the total concentration of a driver, as life-saving decisions are often made in an instant.' Marilyn McLaren, Manitoba Public Insurance

A public-education, multimedia campaign was launched in September 2009 topreparemotorists for the changes, but the date for the new law had not yet been announced.

Under the amendments to the Highway Traffic Act, motorists face a fine of almost $200 if caught breaking the new law.

No smoking with kids in car

The amendments also bansmoking in vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present. That fineis also about $200.

"Driving a motor vehicle requires the total concentration of a driver, as life-saving decisions are often made in an instant," said Manitoba Public Insurance CEO and president Marilyn McLaren.

"Text messaging or using a handheld cellphone while driving are both identified forms of driver distraction that can lead to a crash."

British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have comparable laws and Alberta recently introduced legislation banning the use of handheld cellphones while driving.

Several jurisdictions also have laws prohibiting smoking in vehicles with children present, including British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Manitoba's legislation allows the use of cellphones while driving to make telephone calls, provided they are equipped as hands-free devices and used in a hands-free manner.

The law also allows use of a handheld cellphone to call the police, fire or ambulance service in an emergency.