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Ontario Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving Takes Effect October 26, 2009

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Heenan Blaikie

The Government of Ontario has announced that the ban on the use of handheld wireless communication devices, including cell phones, BlackBerries, and PDAs, while driving will come into force on October 26, 2009.  There will be a 3-month educational period, and police will start issuing tickets on February 1, 2010.

There is an exemption that allows drivers to use a cell phone to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.  There is also a 3-year phase-out period for the transport industry for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios.  This is to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed.   School buses, taxis, couriers, transit and highway maintenance workers have specifically been mentioned as being covered by the exemption.  

Further information, including a brief overview of the exemptions, is available on the government of Ontario website.

For more information on preparing your workplace for the ban, see " Preparing Your Workplace for Ontario's Ban on Display Screens and Cell Phone Use While Driving" (pdf) by Cheryl A. Edwards and Jeremy Warning
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