Manitoba announced Tuesday, October 16, 2018, that effective November 1st you could have your driver’s licence suspended if you are caught using a hand-held electronic device or cellphone while driving.
Amendment to the Highway Traffic Act will now allow police to issue an immediate 3-day suspension and require drivers to surrender their licences.
“We are determined to reduce the growing threat posed by distracted driving that adversely affects Manitoba’s citizens and communities,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler. “By using the right combination of tools such as public education, legislation and enforcement, we aim to change public perception and make distracted driving as socially unacceptable as impaired driving.”
[jaw_quote author=”Ron Schuler” ]These stricter penalties mirror those for impaired driving because the consequences are just as serious.[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]
Drivers could get a 3-day suspension the first time they are caught with a device in their hand but subsequent offences over the next ten years will net them a 7-day suspension. You will also be required to pay a $50 reinstatement fee and could be subject to additional penalties from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI). Under the new rules, police officers are required to inform MPI anytime a driver is charged with careless driving.
“This legislation underscores the seriousness of distracted-driving infractions and enacts stricter penalties for this behaviour,” said Schuler.
The fine you pay for using a hand-held electronic device also increase on November 1, 2018, from the current $203 to $672. You will also be hit with a loss of 5 merit points for each occurrence adding potentially hundreds of dollars to your annual car insurance for years to come.
According to 2017 statistics, 30 people lost their lives and 184 were seriously hurt across the province due to distracted driving.
© 2018 News 4
.
