Manitoba drives cellphone ban awareness campaign

A public awareness campaign is being launched ahead of a new law banning cellphone use by drivers in Manitoba.

The law will ban handheld cellphone use and texting while driving. The legislation, which will be proclaimed into law within the first half of 2010, will also ban smoking in vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present.

Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux announced Monday that "an extensive public education campaign" will begin Monday.

"We can't say enough how important it is to pay full attention while driving a vehicle, and bringing in this new law will address the issue of a major distraction, so motorists can focus on what matters most — the road," said Lemieux. "We are committed to increasing safety on the province's roads."

Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec have comparable bans on hand-held cellphones and Ontario has introduced legislation banning the use of hand-held cellphones while driving.

Several jurisdictions have introduced prohibitions on smoking in vehicles with children present including British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Yukon, said Lemieux.

"Education and raising awareness are both key factors in altering driver behaviour," said Marilyn McLaren, CEO and president of Manitoba Public Insurance. "We know that some collisions in Manitoba are the direct result of driver distraction, be it texting or using a hand-held cellphone while driving.

"This is a road safety initiative which Manitoba Public Insurance fully supports."

The Manitoba legislation will allow communication devices used in a hands-free manner.

Details on the multimedia campaign and more information on the new legislation are available on the government website.