B.C. officers to enforce cellphone driving ban

Police are warning B.C. drivers to put down their cellphones — or be prepared to pay.

Starting Monday, those caught using handheld cellphones and other electronic devices behind the wheel can expect a $167 fine.

A provincial law banning the use of all handheld devices while driving came into effect on Jan. 1, but officers held off on handing out tickets for one month.

B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed said drivers must start to change their habits.

"It is about remembering what's really important when we get behind the wheel, which is that we have lives in our hands," he said.

"Just because you haven't crashed while texting or talking, it doesn't mean you won't if you continue with that behaviour."

Victoria police chief Jamie Graham said there's no excuse for someone to be on a phone while driving. 

"It's common sense, it's doing the right thing," he said.

"For goodness sakes, how important is a phone call? So shut your phone off, put it in the trunk, put it in the back seat and do not answer it. I mean, this is fairly straightforward stuff. If you don't get it — not only is it against the law, it is really stupid behaviour."

The fine applies to drivers caught talking on a hand-held cellphone or electronic device. Drivers caught texting or emailing behind the wheel can also be subject to three demerit points on their driver's licences.

People classified as drivers in the learner or novice stage of the province's graduated licensing program are barred from using any type of cellphone while behind the wheel.