Merritt RCMP say drivers complying with new devices ban

Merritt RCMP say drivers are complying with new cell phone ban legislation, which began Monday.

“We’ve seen a lot of compliance with it,” says Merritt RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore.

RCMP have conducted road checks in recent weeks warning drivers of the new legislation.

“A lot of people are actually preparing for it and buying technology on the market for it,” said Dunsmore.

The new legislation came to be on Jan. 1 but law enforcement gave drivers a one-month grace period to prepare for it, only handing out warnings.

Police can now issue $167 fines for violating the law that bans or restricts the use of many electronic devices, including cellphones, while driving.

Fully licensed drivers can still talk on their cellphones using a hands-free device, but new drivers face a full ban and will receive the fine and penalty points for any infraction.

“If it’s a one button type scenario, they can use that,” says Dunsmore.

Hands free, Blue Tooth, and CB radio devices are permitted.

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