Manitoba drivers caught with cell phones face $200 fine as of July 15, 2010

Manitoba drivers caught texting or using hand-held cell phones could face a fine of almost $200 under a new law that takes effect July 15, 2010, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton has announced.
The new law comes under amendments to the province’s Highway Traffic Act.
“We know the hazards that distracted drivers create on our roads,” Ashton said in a press release announcing the date of the new law. “Talking on a hand-held cell phone and texting are major distractions while driving and we’re moving to make our roads safer for all Manitobans.”
Manitoba’s new legislation does allow the use of cell phones while driving to make telephone calls, provided they are equipped as hands-free devices and used in a hands-free manner. The law also allows use of a hand-held cell phone to call the police, fire or ambulance service in an emergency.
A public-education, multimedia campaign has reminded motorists that if they are on the road, they should stay off the phone and text devices.
“Driving a motor vehicle requires the total concentration of a driver, as life-saving decisions are often made in an instant,” said Manitoba Public Insurance CEO and president Marilyn McLaren. “Text messaging or using a hand-held cell phone while driving are both identified forms of driver distraction that can lead to a crash.”