WINNIPEG — Manitoba legislators have accepted appeals by the trucking industry to make the provincial ban on cell phone use and texting more flexible for truck drivers.

According to industry reports, the Manitoba Trucking Association convinced regulators to exempt CB radios and certain communication devices used specifically by drivers for dispatch and business-related purposes.

Manitoba passed a law banning hand-held cell phones and similar communication devices in June. While the law won’t be strictly enforced until next summer, police will still issue fines to anyone driving unsafely while using a cell phone.

MTA appeared before the Legislative Committee recently to stress the importance of exempting certain electronic devices such as GPS systems, radio, and push-to-talk functions on communication devices often used by truckers while on the job.

Just as carriers argued in Ontario and Quebec, the trucking group said a blanket ban could have impeded carriers’ ability to remain in contact with their drivers while on the road.

The province could still add further exemptions or extend restrictions for certain classes of devices or vehicles.

Meanwhile, neighboring Saskatchewan is considering a ban on talking and texting while operating a vehicle as well.

Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill blames a jump in vehicle collisions this summer on cell phone use and is urging legislators to follow Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland with a ban.

The police service’s latest report shows collisions were up 24 percent in the first six months of this year.