TORONTO — The ‘soft’ enforcement period is over for truckers or anyone else caught driving on Ontario roads with a cellphone or any other electronic device in their hands.

Starting today, police will no longer be issuing warnings for anyone caught driving while distracted. The fine can be up to $500.

The law includes a ban on talking, texting, or e-mailing on just about any hand-held device, including phones, MP3 players, GPS or portable DVD player or any other communication device that requires drivers to take their hands off the wheel.

Hands-free modes of these devices are allowed for the most part.

As for push-to-talk devices and CB radios, Emna Dhahak of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation reaffirms what Today’s Trucking reported last summer — that they’re technically covered under the law, but the government is granting a three-year exemption for their use to "give time for the development of hands-free solutions."

A lot of times these nuanced clarifications can get lost getting delivered from Queen’s Park to the roadside, but OPP Inspector Dave Ross tells todaystrucking.com that truckers can rest assured that the cops know what to do.

He says he’s positive officers are aware of the exemption.

"The MTO (Ministry of Transportation) provides information with regards to a three year phase out for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios to allow for hands-free technology to be developed,” Ross says. “(The law) doesn’t affect mobile data terminals, logistical tracking services and dispatching devices. They’ll be exempt for commercial and public service vehicles that are engaged in the performance of their duties.”

It’s apparent that truckers all over the continent will have to get used to such limits of in-cab use of technology. In fact, with the U.S. last week immediately banning texting for commercial drivers nationwide, only a handful of jurisdictions, namely Alberta, still don’t have hard rules on distracted driving.