After months of contemplation, it will soon be the law of the land in Ontario -
banning handheld cell phones when you're behind the wheel of a moving car. It may not start until the fall, but the fallout has already begun.
We asked you for your reaction to the new law and it appears most of you think it's something to call home about. But only if your car is stopped.
Here's a sample of what you had to say.
"I think this is one of the smartest laws to come into force in a very long time and it's been a long time coming. Too often I've feared for my life while motorists are scrolling through their emails on their BlackBerrys or chit-chatting away on their phones and not paying attention to pedestrians. I have seen other motorists cut off and have myself been a victim of this many,
many times."
Melissa Vieira
"I think it's one of the smartest things they've passed in a while. If I had a dime for every time somebody cut me off or I got stuck behind somebody driving 70km/h in a 100km/h zone while blabbing on a cell phone and obstructing the flow of traffic, I'd be a very rich woman!"
Corrine Lamb
"I think police should spend their time elsewhere. There will always be something people are doing in their cars they shouldn't be. You can't enforce everything. You just hope people will use common sense."
Rebecca Crothers
"It's about time that such a law is to be enforced in our city. I have my own cell phone that I use for emergencies, otherwise my phone is kept inside my bag, and I just don't answer it when I am behind the wheel.
Our society and the driving public are just too IGNORANT about the use of cell phones especially behind the wheel of a vehicle.
And also lately, a young lady crossing Blue Jays Way was hit by a truck and run over due to cell phone use while walking/crossing the street!
Hopefully this new law would make people realize the danger/risk involved."
Augusto Reyes
"I ride a motorcycle and every now and then I've had a motorist cut right in front of me because they didn't see me riding my bike because they were chatting on their cell phone. The hands-free cell phone law might be a good thing as the drivers can keep both hands on the steering wheel."
Steve Goldwinger
"Once the law is passed we should give it some time to come into effect. Perhaps a few years from now, we can look at the difference, or lack of a difference this law makes. Just from first-hand observations though, I see a lot of drivers on the 401 who either drive too slowly (70-80km/h) or too fast and erratically while chatting on their phones.
First, driving with one hand decreases the ability to make quick adjustments on the steering wheel. Second, that phone and hand that is holding it somewhat blocks the peripheral vision - which is pretty important when driving anywhere, especially on the highway. Thirdly, unless our brains have quad-core processing, I'm not too sure we can carry a conversation while devoting 100% to the safety of the passengers (including the driver) and drivers around them."
Davin Yu
"I am in agreement with this ban 100% as I myself have witnessed some very careless incidents which could have led to a serious injury or death. I was involved in a rear ender many years ago and was the lead car as 3 other cars hit me from behind. The car behind me was a cop going to work. The two cars behind me were pushed into each other by the third driver who was yakking on a cell phone and not paying attention.
The cop behind me barely touched me but his rear end was damaged. The one behind him? Well, it was smashed in the front and the rear end was totaled and the van that did the hitting, his front end was gone...
So yes, ban cell phone use as well as any other hand held device while driving."
Helmuth Reindel
"I fully support the ban on cell phones while driving. This law should've passed and gone into effect several years ago. Everyday I see people on the streets of the GTA driving too slow or driving in two lanes while talking on cell phones. I have personally witnessed many drivers running red lights while talking on cell phones. I congratulate all MPPs for bringing the cell phone ban into effect."
Naveed Aqeel
"It's simple math. If you can afford to buy a $100 phone why not a $40 (or cheaper) headset? Sure it's a distraction and I for one get distracted while driving even using a headset. It's a strong start to prevent distracted driving."
Eric Veracruz
"It's an excellent law, but as stated in your news item, I agree it's going to be almost impossible to enforce."
Eric Davis
"I fully support the new law banning the use of handheld devices while driving - I hope this comes into effect very soon. Even the hands free devices take away some of your concentration while driving."
Elaine Chang Soong
And finally, another voice of opposition from a man who wonders if his profession will get an exemption.
"We, as cab drivers are strongly against this law because of our business. We should be exempted from this because of our profession. As a cab driver we use company radio dispatch while driving, need directions/orders and so many other things which is the same as using a cell phone."
Rupinder Saini
The answer may be yes and no. The Ministry tells
CityNews.ca that while cabbies won't get an exception for handheld cell phones, devices that are hard wired into the vehicle won't be covered by the ban.