Const. Jesse Patterson uses a cellphone from his squad car while fellow constable Ricky Long listens. Hand-held cellphones are banned as of April 1. Both Patterson and Long have just joined the Digby RCMP detachment, bringing it to full strength. John DeMings photo
New law keeps hands on the wheel
It isn’t exactly hands free or hands up, but Digby RCMP will be enforcing a new law on cellphone use in automobiles starting April 1.
The Nova Scotia government passed a road safety bill that outlaws the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. Drivers would still be permitted to talk on their cells if they use an earpiece or speakerphone.
“We’ve been asked to enforce it,” said Staff-Sgt. Phil Barrett of the Digby RCMP detachment.
“Drivers will have to go hands-free or pull over,” he said, adding that he has ordered himself new cellphone equipment to allow hands-free operation.
Nova Scotia joins Newfoundland and Labrador as the only province with a cellphone ban for drivers, although Quebec has signaled it plans to do the same.
The move is meant to cut down on driver distraction. Penalties are $164.50 for the first offense, $222 for the second and $337 for the third and subsequent offences. Hand-held cell phone use will only be allowed in emergency situations.
The new road safety bill also includes a provision to double fines for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. The fines begin at $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third.
Barrett noted another government initiative, the impaired drivers interdiction task force, has been finding some success. The task force, which operates on its own in southwestern Nova Scotia, recently set up roadblocks in Digby and charged two people with impaired driving.
“It’s had good success, with over 30 charged since January,” said Barrett.
