Quebec coroner recommends banning cellphones in cars

A new Quebec coroner's report says cellphoneusein cars is no different from drinking and driving and stronger deterrent measures are needed,including a possible ban.

Last November adriver hit 75-year-oldFlorildaCastonguayfrom behind and the coroner's report on the death suggests the driver was on hiscellphoneat the time.

The accident happened inKamouraska, a town about 175 kilometresnorth east of Quebec City.

ReneRousel's report says information provided by the driver's wireless provider indicates his phone was active when he hit Castonguay, a charge the driver has denied.

• Quebec stiffens penalty for using cellphone while driving
• Quebec increasing demerit points for drivers on cell phones

In her comments, Rousel says current legislation regulating cellphone use in cars is not effective and a total ban, or technology like a scrambling device in cars should be considered.

"Given that the worst a driver found guilty faces is a fine and a few demerit points, I'm thinking technological solutions are preferable to driver education for dealing with the danger this ultimately represents," she writes.

Such measures are necessary as long as "mentalities and legislation" fail to treat cellphone use in cars with the same degree of severity asdriving while impaired, she said.

"And that's far from the case right now," Rousel writes.

'I actually do it sometimes too and it's bad'

Drivers in Quebec can be given four demerit points if police catch them with a phonein their handwhile behind the wheel of a vehicle.Fines for using acellphonewhile driving amount to $115 for a first infraction in Quebec.

Some Montrealerssay Rousel's recommendation to block cellphone signals in cars could be a good way to curb potentially deadlyhabits.

"Ata time of PokmonGo and all these kinds of apps where people are using their cellphones for gaming in their cars, you have to start to think about things to solve that issue,"Alex Corbassonsaid.

Montreal police say in 2015 they issued 16,775 tickets for usingcellphonesbehind the wheel. Thetickets went to people who had a phone, or a device that functions like a phone, in their hand while driving.

• Quebec coroner calls for crackdown oncellphoneuse while driving

Other drivers say they aren't in favour ofnew measures to crack down on using cellphones behind the wheel, but admit it's a problem.

"I guess we're grownups but we're actually children with toys when we're driving,"Cathy Baptista said.

"I admit, I used to make fun of people but I actually do it sometimes too and it's bad."