Hand-held cell phones to be illegal for drivers in Quebec, N.S.

Quebec and Nova Scotia drivers will have to put down their cell phones after midnight Monday, as the provinces implement new regulations effective Tuesday.
 
Use of hands-free cell phones while driving will still be allowed in both provinces, and police will not be handing out fines for using the banned phones until July.

For the first three months, people chatting on the phone while driving will be given a warning.

As of July 1, however, that illicit call will cost a $100 fine and three demerit points.

The punishment for breaking the law in Nova Scotia is more severe, with police there handing out a $164 fine for the first offence.

The Nova Scotia fines go up to $222 for a second offence, and then $337 for each additional one.

Some critics say the law doesn't go far enough, arguing that the use of hands-free phones is just as distracting for drivers.