| Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation |
The Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation, 2009 makes it illegal for motorists to use hand-held wireless communication devices or any hand-held wireless entertainment devices while driving. This includes portable video games or anything that involves viewing a display screen unrelated to driving such as laptops or DVD players. Drivers may use a wireless communication or entertainment device that can be operated in a "hands-free" manner, for example:
- a cell phone with an earpiece or headset using voice dialling, or plugged into the vehicle's sound system
- a global positioning system (GPS) device that is properly secured to the dashboard or another accessible place in the vehicle
- a portable media player that has been plugged into the vehicle's sound system.
Drivers can be charged with careless driving and face fines of up to $1,000, six demerit points, a driver's licence suspension and possible jail time. If convicted of dangerous driving (a criminal offence), drivers could face a penalty of up to $2,000 and five years in jail.
Drivers will be allowed to place emergency calls to police, fire, or medical services.
The new law could be in effect as early as fall 2009.
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