Driver sa British Columbia at 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.

Ayon sa 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. Gayunman, hands-free devices (built in or fixed to the vehicle, that are used by pressing a single button once only) ay pa rin pinapayagan.
• Drivers cannot send or read text messages or e-mails.
• Driver sa “Learner” at “Novice” licenses are not permitted to operate anumang hand-held o hands-free cell phone or other electronic communications device.

Ito Vancouver Sun artikulo gives all the details about B.C.’s new restrictions on cell phones and other hand-held devices, tulad ng iPods and other MP3 players, habang ang Winnipeg Free Press recaps sa Saskatchewan batas.

B.C. drivers caught violating the cell phone law will face a $167 fine at tatlong parusa punto sa kanilang mga lisensya. Sa Saskatchewan, the penalties will include a $280 fine at apat na lisensya puntos. Kaya if you’re behind the wheel, don’t answer that phone!

We summarized the cell phone batas sa iba pang mga lalawigan sa earlier post on “Dialing while Driving.”

Larawan ni Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline (Flickr)