Ontario Mobile Phone Driving Ban Begins Monday

October 26, 2009 6:28 a.m. EST

Toronto, Ontario (AHN) - In a bid to make Ontario's streets safer for motorists, commuters and pedestrians, the province's ban on using a mobile phone and other handheld devices will take effect Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.

The Monday start is part of the three-month intensive education campaign program. By Feb. 1, 2010, Ontario police officers will issue tickets to violators. The fines could cost Ontario residents up to $500.

However, a spokesman of the Ontario Police said between Monday and Feb. 1, 2010, police officers still have the discretion to issue summons for the violator to go to court and find out how much will be the fine.

The following are exempt from the new law: calls to 911, if the driver is using a hands-free device and police, paramedics and firefighters when on duty.

Ontario is the fourth Canadian province to ban the use of mobile phones while driving, following the example of Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Three other Canadian provinces are in different stages of passing a similar legislation. These are Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.