Drivers em British Columbia e Saskatchewan are no longer allowed to use hand-held cell phones while driving.

Both provinces enacted new laws — effective January 1, 2010 — that sharply restrict drivers’ use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices.

De acordo com o British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA), B.C.’s new law includes the following provisions:

• Drivers cannot make or receive calls or hold a cell phone. No entanto, hands-free devices (built in or fixed to the vehicle, that are used by pressing a single button once only) ainda são permitidas.
• Drivers cannot send or read text messages or e-mails.
• Os condutores com “Learner” e “Novice” licenses are not permitted to operate qualquer hand-held ou hands-free cell phone or other electronic communications device.

Este Vancôver Sun artigo gives all the details about B.C.’s new restrictions on cell phones and other hand-held devices, tal como iPods and other MP3 players, enquanto que o Winnipeg Free Press recapitula a lei Saskatchewan.

BC. drivers caught violating the cell phone law will face a $167 multa e três pontos de penalização na sua carta. Em Saskatchewan, the penalties will include a $280 multa e quatro pontos de licença. Assim if you’re behind the wheel, don’t answer that phone!

We summarized the celulares leis de telefone de outras províncias neste earlier post on “Dialing while Driving.”

Foto por Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline (Flickr)