Ontario pondering ban on in-vehicle distractions

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TORONTO, Ont. — The province of Ontario will introduce legislation this fall that will ban the use of electronic distractions such as cell phones and Blackberries while driving, according to a report in today’s Toronto Star.

Ontario Transport Minister Jim Bradley reportedly confirmed the impending law yesterday in an interview with Global TV’s Focus Ontario.

“We think we can come forward with a very good package that will improve our safety record,” Bradley told Focus Ontario. “Even though we’re the tops in North America year in and year out, outside of the Northwest Territories, we still think we can make even more progress.”

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who once ridiculed a ban on cell phones, saying “Where do we draw the line? Do we ban coffee drinking in cars?” has reportedly had a change of heart. The Star reported that one US study estimated driver distraction was a factor in 80% of car accidents.

Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec already ban the use of cell phones while driving.

– With files from the Toronto Star

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