The Province of British Columbia has made legislative changes to
prevent the use of hand- held cellphones, portable electronic devices
and text messaging while driving.
Changes to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) upon legislative approval are to take effect on Jan. 1, 2010. At that point, only hands-free cellphones and devices that require one touch to activate will be permitted. Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) will not be permitted to use hands-free phones in addition to other prohibited activity.
A new fine in the amount of $167 will begin to be levied on Feb. 1, 2010. If drivers are caught texting or emailing they will receive an additional three penalty points. Further, drivers in the GLP will receive the $167 fine and three penalty points for any violation of this legislation.
In the coming months, government will launch an awareness campaign to educate drivers on the new law and the importance of paying attention to the road, pedestrians and other cars around them.
BRITISH COLUMBIA 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.
These changes bring British Columbia in line with the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Alberta recently announced that it intends to introduce similar distracted driving legislation this fall.
your Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and surrounding areas Realtor
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As a society, we have to do all we can to protect each other. There are many distracted drivers out there. Soon, this will be law everywhere.
It is already in Ontario.
This post was made without editorial comment as a news source. I still think we need to make it mandatory for all persons to be wrapped in Bubble Wrap everytime they leave their own personal property for their own personal safety.
I have a hands free bluetooth in the car already so I am covered. Anyone who claims they have a ONE TOUCH call system is a fibber unless it is voice activated so get ready for THE NEW photo radar revenue collector replacement.
Every higher end car being built has a GPS in it and all the toys got to be played with, I dont know how it could be reliably proved that anyone was using their GPS in their car while driving unless the Cop was sitting in the passenger seat.
I have thought for years now, that if there was to be a serious effort to reduce major accidents INTENSIVE intersection campaigns would be undertaken on a ongoing basis to a point where resources were taken from speed enforcement and assigned to intersections where the vast majority of serious accidents take place.
Further all speed enforcement would be assigned to School & Park Zones almost all the times, especially during school hours.
When I am King...
Goo dinformation to pass along:) I have had a hands free for years, but I am guilty of not always using it until recently. It does help:)
hmmm - i think thats a good thing - but - i'm totally ticked off with Telus right now - that's first and foremost on my mind - 5 weeks and endless run ins......yuk......maybe its time to go back to the landline for more ways then one!
Funny bubble wrap comment. I admit I have not been following the law in NL very well since my blue tooth never seemed to work properly. I finally got fed up and just started picking up the phone again and droping it when I see trouble around. I guess one day I am going to get fined.
I have to say though, I have been using the cel phone in the car for years and have never had an accident as a result. I think you do develop the skills to do more than one thing after much practice. But I understand the logic. There are many others who should never use a devise while driving. Some of them should never be driving, period. So I don't like it and I do like it depending on who it applies to. I guess that suggests it's decent law after all.
Scott,
It's a long time coming and it will take a few test cases in court etc. to get sorted out. Long over due in my opinion.
I am a hands free user since day one as I just found it easier. I connect through 1800 goog 411 and they conect me for free.