Hang Up And Drive - Or Else !

It's coming and you better be prepared. Effective October 26,2009 the Province of Ontario's distracted-driving law comes into effect. Ontario's drivers will have a grace period until Feb. 1, 2010 to acquire a hands-free device for their cellphones, Blackberries, etc.

Police will issue fines after that point up to $500 with no demerit points. Using earbuds, adjusting GPS units and iPods are also a no-no while behind the wheel. Exemptions include driver placed 911 calls, emergency service vehicles, truckers and other commercial drivers. A 3 year grace period has been offered to truckers to replace CB radios with new technology.

The new legislation also specifically refers to DVD's and Laptops, which I concur are very scary distraction for a driver. According to a 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who dial and text behind the wheel have nearly three times the risk of being in a crash.