Non-cellphone use:B.C. new law

[shootingstar]

For drivers. Not clear if it's just for drivers licensed in British Columbia or in Canada. Wonder how this will work..during the Olympics next year when things are going to be in a rush for some folks. But then, people survived decades ago, planning the Olympics without cellphones.

Sorry to put news here. Seemed most logical and less buried amongst bigger forum sections.

B.C. targets cellphone use by drivers.
By Rob Shaw, Canwest News ServiceOctober 21, 2009 4:10 PM
StoryPhotos ( 1 )

Texting while driving. B.C. is moving to prevent the use of hand-held cellphones, portable electronic devices and text messaging while driving.British Columbians will have to put down their cell phones and switch to hands-free devices while driving, under proposed new legislation introduced by the provincial government Wednesday.

The bill, called the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2009, will also ban drivers from sending text messages and Blackberry emails while behind the wheel. The rules also include portable gaming players and iPods.

The changes come into effect Jan. 1, 2010 and fines of $167 begin after Feb. 1, 2010. Drivers caught texting or emailing will receive an additional three penalty points on their license.

“These amendments will mean safer roads by helping to ensure drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road,” said B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed.

New drivers, part of the province’s graduated licensing program, will face a complete ban on usage of cell phones without exception.

Exceptions to the proposed legislation include police, fire and ambulance drivers working during emergency calls.

“We have all seen near misses on the road because drivers were not paying attention,” said Heed.

“At the end of the day I believe the changes I am announcing will save lives in British Columbia.”

The ban has been widely-recommended by B.C. police chiefs and the B.C. Medical Association. An Ipsos Reid poll earlier this year said more than three-quarters of B.C. residents would support a complete ban on all cellphone use by drivers. More than 92 per cent said using cellphones when driving is a “serious road safety issue.”

The B.C. Liberal government promised to explore the issue in its August throne speech.

Four provinces have already banned the use of hand-held cellphones while driving: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario.


PROPOSED MOTOR VEHICLE ACT CHANGES


Prohibited actions and devices


* No operating or holding hand-held cellphones or other electronic devices.


* No sending or reading emails and/or texting (e.g., BlackBerry, PDA, cellphone).


* No operating or holding hand-held music or portable gaming devices (e.g., MP3 players, iPods).


* No manual programming or adjusting GPS systems, whether built into the vehicle or not, while driving. Settings must be programmed before driving.


Permitted actions and devices


* Hands-free cellphones that are built in or securely fixed to the vehicle, and used by pressing a single button - once only - in order to activate a hands-free device for incoming or outgoing calls.


* Pre-programmed and voice-activated GPS devices.


* Two-way radios for industry (e.g., trucking, logging, oil and gas).


* Any of the above devices can be used if the vehicle is legally parked and not impeding traffic.


* Call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.


Graduated License Drivers (GLP)


* In addition to the above restrictions and permitted actions, new drivers are prohibited from using hands-free communications devices, (e.g., cellphones), while driving.


Exemptions to the legislation include police, fire and ambulance personnel who may need to make calls in the performance of their duties, and motorists who need to call 9-1-1.


© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

If you go to this web page (in next few days) there's an article that 25% of car accidents are caused by distractions.

http://www.vancouversun.com/technolo...89/story.html#

[Grog]

It does not matter where your license is from: if you drive in B.C. you have to respect the rules of the road in B.C., or be ticketed/penalized.

I believe that provinces and even most States (if not all) have a system to transfer penalty points from one jurisdiction to the next.