Ontario's "no talking while driving" law will likely come into effect in October 2009, according to a July 27th report in Market News, an electronics industry journal that interviewed Jim Bradley, Ontario's Minister of Transportation:
It's official...maybe. Minister Jim Bradley says that the hands-free ban that was confirmed earlier this year for the province of Ontario will "likely" come into effect by October. Starting that month, drivers found chatting on a cell phone or operating a handheld wireless gadget in a car while driving could face hefty fines.
The month of October has been pegged as the likely date for the long-awaited ban to officially come into play, but a representative from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation confirms with Marketnews that while this is a likely scenario, it hasn't been 100% confirmed. Still, Minister Jim Bradley's statements have caused many to speculate that yes, October will be the month of reckoning.
While the use of handheld electronic devices will be strictly forbidden under Bill 118, motorists can still use hands-free accessories, like Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones. Drivers will also be allowed to depress the button requires to power up these units, like portable GPS devices, but no further manipulation of them while driving will be permitted. Fines can go as high as $500.
- Garry J. Wise, Toronto
UPDATE: October 1, 2009
The provincial government announced yesterday that the Ontario drivers' cell phone ban will come into effect October 26, 2009.Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net
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1 comment:
So, if I understand the statement below correctly, I am allowed to keep my portable Garmin GPS attached to the windshield as long as I do all the button/screen pushing before I start the car moving and then only have it sitting there to tell me when to turn left or right. Afterall, during driving it is less distracting then a pair of fuzzy dice or a leg garter on the rearview mirror.
Can anyone please enlighten me on whether this is a correct interpretation of portable GPS use with the new cell phone law?
"Drivers will also be allowed to depress the button requires to power up these units, like portable GPS devices, but no further manipulation of them while driving will be permitted".
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