The proposed legislation to ban the use of handheld cell phones and other electronic devices while driving in Ontario has just passed its third reading, which means that the ban will come into effect this year.

Exact timing of the ban has not yet been confirmed, but a representative at the Ministry of Transporation has advised Marketnews that it would be at least a few months before it would come into effect.

He also advises that while specific details of Bill 118 have not yet been finalized, the terms and conditions are likely to be just as they were originally proposed in October 2008, without any amendments. Fines could range from $60-$500, but would not include any demerit points. "A driver," explained Bob Nichols, Senior Media Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Transporation Issues and Media Office, "would receive a ticket and could elect to plead guilty and pay the set fine or to contest the charge in court."

This will make Ontario the fourth Canadian province to have instituted such a ban, joining Quebec, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. The provinces of Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Saskatchewan have not enacted similar legislation, and only B.C. and Manitoba have expressed interest in doing so in the near future. Manitoba, in fact, has already tabled legislation that includes hands-free bans as well as banning smoking in cars with children under the age of 16 present. All other provinces do not single out the issue of handheld gadgetry while driving, choosing to include such activity within already existing and all-encompassing "distracted driving" legislation.

Read the March 2009 issue of Marketnews for in-depth details of Bill 118 in Ontario, and to learn more about the state of affairs on this topic across Canada.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

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