Vancouver Information and Newspaper

REGINA – Saskatchewan is about to become the latest province to put the brakes on using hand-held cellphones to talk, text, email or surf the Internet while driving.

Provincial legislation that bans motorists from using the popular devices takes effect New Year’s Day.

Officials with Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), the province’s auto insurance fund, say motorists will have to get used to the new rules.

“It’s going to be a habit-changing procedure,” says Tony Playter with SGI. “Their only choice is to buy a hands-free device or put their phone away until they’re in a safe location to answer it.”

Experienced drivers will still be allowed to use hands-free devices while driving. But new drivers won’t be allowed to use cellphones of any type while behind the wheel. SGI says the combination of inexperience and higher use of the distracting devices makes them particularly vulnerable.

All drivers can use hand-held phones to make emergency calls to police, fire and emergency medical services.

The change follows studies that show drivers who talk on cellphones are six times more likely to be involved in dangerous collisions. They are 23 times more likely to have a crash if they’re texting and driving, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. People who chat on cellphones or text are 10 times more likely to run a stop sign.

“I’m sure there’s some people that say ‘Well, I’m extra careful when I’m texting or when I’m on a cellphone’ or whatever the case may be,” says Staff Sgt. Bill Chow, of the Prince Albert Police Service.

“But at the end of the day, you’re not paying total attention to what you’re supposed to be doing – which is driving.”

Motorists who break the new law will face a penalty of $280 and four demerit points.

It appears many motorists are turning to hands-free devices to avoid a penalty.

Anne Boschman, manager of the Wireless Age in Regina, says people have been rushing into the store over the last few weeks to get a headset or a visor-mounted device or one that clips over the rear-view mirror.

There was some grumbling at first, but most people accept the change.

“If they want to use their phone in the vehicle, they have no choice, they have to do it this way,” says Boschman.

In Ontario, all motorists are banned from using any hand-held electronic device to text, email or talk, but hands-free devices are OK. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have similar rules.

Manitoba’s cellphone ban is expected to be proclaimed into law in 2010. British Columbia has introduced legislation that will only allow hands-free devices.

Alberta and New Brunswick don’t have any legislation and are still pondering what to do.

Chow says police across Saskatchewan know they’ll still see people using hand-held cellphones behind the wheel despite the new law.

“Why do people drink and drive? Because they think they can get away with it,” says Chow. “That’s the only reason they drink and drive. There is no reason to drink and drive especially with all the programs that are in place.

“But guess what? People still drink and drive right? It’s going to be no different with the cellphone.”