Ontario appears to be the next Canadian province to ban drivers
from using hand-held cell phones and devices with display screens,
joining Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Québec.
These provinces have passed legislation that imposes fines and
demerit point penalties on drivers who use cell phones or have
display screens visible to drivers while operating a motor
vehicle.
Ontario's Bill 118, the Countering Distracting Driving
and Promoting Green Transportation Act, 2008 was introduced in
the Provincial Legislature on October 28, 2008. The Bill received
its second reading in November 2008 and has been referred to the
Standing Committee for review.
As a result of the proposed amendments to Bill 118, the
Highway Traffic Act ( the "HTA") will prohibit
the operation of a motor vehicle with a television, computer or any
other device with a display screen, if the display screen is
visible to the driver. Further, motorists will be prohibited from
driving while
