If Islanders say they do not want to ban hand-held cellphones in cars, the province will have no choice but to listen, says Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron MacKinley.
MacKinley appeared before a committee of his peers Tuesday to discuss the Island government's plans to implement a ban on hand-held cellphones.
The legislative standing committee plans hearings across the province.
"If you come back and say the committee recommends that we don't want to ban cellphones, period, government will have to take an awful good look at something like that, if all Islanders reject it," MacKinley told MLAs.
"I can't see it happening, myself."
Conservative Mike Currie questioned whether there is any need for public consultations. He said most Islanders believe the changes are coming, whether public hearings are held or not.
That's because MacKinley has said he's working on legislation to ban hand-held cellphones.
Earlier this month he told The Guardian he's instructed his staff to write legislation for the fall session that will effectively ban the use of cellphones while driving.
On Tuesday, MacKinley produced a draft copy of that act, one which he said could be changed following the public hearings.
That draft act indicates the province is going much further than targeting hand-held cellphones.
The ban will also include pagers, personal data assistants, portable computers, MP3 players, fax machines or other hand-held electronic devices decided by cabinet.
It will also ban texting while driving.
But MacKinley said the province is looking for direction on potential exemptions, including those for farmers, long-haul drivers, plow operators and emergency personnel including police officers and ambulance drivers.
The draft legislation provides exemptions for emergency personnel as well as those who are using their cellphone to report a traffic accident, unlawful act or unsafe road conditions.
MacKinley hopes public hearings will help the province come up with a list of potential exemptions to the proposed law.
"With your committee going out (to the public), it should be able to define it better because there are a lot of questions there that we're not 100 per cent sure of."
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec have already banned the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. So too have seven U.S. states. Ontario and Alberta are also considering legislation to stop people from using hand-held cellphones while driving.
The proposed law would allow the use of hands-free devices, including the use of hands-free cellphones.
MacKinley said he won't act until the public hearings are held and the legislative standing committee has had its say.
"I'm not doing anything until this committee reports back to the house."
MacKinley: province will listen if ban on hand-held phones in cars is rejected
MacKinley: province will listen if ban on hand-held phones in cars is rejected
- Published on September 18th, 2008
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Wayne Thibodeau
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Comments
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- Scott
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:39:47
Cranky has some good points there. Enforce the laws we have now and this would not be as much of an issue.
To enforce the laws on the books now we need to re-educate the police we have now.
(they seem to have forgot some laws) We also need to hire more Police.
Canada is becoming a Policed State. There seems to be rules, regulations and laws for everything. Soon need little hand books for citizens. -
- Old Tory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:37:20
What about taxis and delivery people, is it the governments intention to put all these people out of business. I suppose pilots of aircraft won't be able to use their radios either even in distress.
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- Larry
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:36:42
Why would farmers be exempt? That is ridiculous? Ban them
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- Dick
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:36:10
Pei employer....if your business is that reliant on phone calls then I suggest you spend more time in your office taking calls instead of out on the road. You might as well drive around drunk all day as making phone calls while driving....its the same danger! And how do you get off saying that a phone call is quicker than using a 2-way radio? Have you ever heard a conversation on the 2-way radio? They are very short and to the point....a phone call is long winded and more distracting. Cell phones have no business being used in a car unless you are pulled to the side of the road, whether it is an emergency or not. Like I said before....if they are going to continue to allow cell phones to be used while driving, then they have to allow drinking and driving too.....it only makes sense!!!!!
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- BAN
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:31
next time your on the streets.... take note how many people are driving with a cell phone stuck to their ear ... it is shocking...............
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- eb
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:20:42
sorry west prince idon't drive with aphone to my head you were way out of line eb
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- pei
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:15:14
drivers who create bad road conditions should be charged with undue care and attention . with that being said i am NOT in favor of banning cell phones while driving. Some of us count on them for our livlihood. If they are banned i will have no option than to close my business and put 50+ people out of work. because in the end ...using two way radio's etc is just the same as using cell phones. At least with cell phones, the conversation lasts 10 seconds. 2 way radio's is a constant conversation between the drivers, that could distract the drivers, at all times.
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- DL
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:11:05
would like to see a ban on hand-held cell phone use in cars. I can't count the number of times I've been cut off by people using their phones instead of them pulling off the road to talk. They also forget they have signals on their vehicles. It's horrible the way people are behaving on PEI's streets and roads these days. Talking on cellphones and driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. These people DO NOT have their minds on their driving. BAN CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING.
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- Dick
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:55
Using cell phones while driving a car is one of the most dangerous things that anybody can do. They done a study in Ontario about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving and they say that it is comparable to driving while impaired....so if they continue to allow people to use cell phones while driving, then they should allow people to drive drunk as well because they're both very dangerous situations that can cause accidents and even death.
Using a cell phone while driving is stupid!!! People need to use a little common sense and realize that they are a distraction! -
- Deja Vu
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:07:03
What the heck did we elect this Govt for ? The role of Govt is to Govern, not set up study groups,and start making a list of exceptions. Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous, end of discussion.
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- Unbelievable!
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:45
Honestly.... to ANYONE on this post who is against this ban ..... do you ever listen to global news???
A recent train derailment in the USA was deemed to be caused by the conductor (or whatever they are called these days) TEXTING someone!
Now that is one train I am glad I wasn't on!
If you think for ONE SECOND that cellphones, blackberries or whatever are not a MAJOR distraction - then you have your head stuck way in the sand.
If a policeman sees you with one glued to your ear - then that is all the PROOF he needs to pull you over and charge you. No different if he sees you without a seatbelt - (even though you have ample time to pull one on before he gets to your car window)!
For the love of Mike - this is just common sense! -
- islander away
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:05:04
Ah yes our precious freedom to be stupid and endanger everyone around us. It's vital to preserve that. Let's see does that make me a spokesperson for the special interest group called Canadians In Favour of Not Getting Killed by Inattentive Drivers. We have proven ourselves not smart enough to not have a bunch of rules, time and time again.
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- Islander
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:02:07
I agree with Cranky . This IS already a law and if the police in PEI are not able to enforce these careless drivers now, how will making cell phones illegal make any difference?
I should add that when they introduced this in Alberta I was quite upset, being one of those who believed as PEI employer that my livelyhood depended on my cell phone while driving...his opinion will change as mine has, the day he almost hits a small child or gets into an accident because he's too destracted. Not with the cell phone though...with the conversation that was too important to wait.
It's not a matter of whats in your hand...it's what's in your mind...and when your behind the wheel...your mind should be focused on driving. Not on work.
New laws do NOT need to be introduced.
Old ones NEED to be enforced. -
- moii
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:02
I agree cell phones should be banned while driving, but honestly, if a cop pulled you over, you would obviously shut your phone and put it down before the officer got to your window. Then....how is he/she to prove that you were actually on the phone??
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- West
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:58:05
Farmers???? What the hell??? Why not for Teachers, Nurses, Fishers, People who drive with one hand on the wheel, People with the AC on, People with funny bumper stickers. Give me a break, a ban is a ban. I still don't get the farmer thing...AHHH...Isn't Ronnie a farmer....LOL
My 2 cents... -
- stupid
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:51:10
Well i'll drink to that....then i will drive and be on my cell....just ban both....like in another country...if caught drinking and driving...you get your license taken away indefintely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- TA
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:49:06
What gives with another study group. Ronnie, the wheel has been invented, no need to study it any more. Are drivers in PEI different than drivers in other jurisdictions including Europe? Using cell phones while driving is dangerous. Period.
Just look how people drive while talking on the phone. We all see it. I do agree with the assertion that we do have laws on the books already to deal with this issue. There is very little enforcement of our traffic laws on this island. It would be nice if our police officers would set an example. They drive like the rest of us. Setting up road checks for expired license plates and expired inspection tags does very little to promote safe driving. The officers time would be more productive in detecting driving violations. Expired tags can be checked while stopping people for moving violations. Maybe its time to evaluate our police supervisors and hold them accountable for the lack of proper enforcement. Is this the result of police being asked to do more with less. More police time is being devoted to social work. This takes officers off the road and we see the end result. People drive the way they do because the chance of getting caught is so slim. How often do you see a police car while driving? -
- Old Tory
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:02
We DO NOT need more police. Government needs to stop listening to these bleeding heart liberals and special interest groups who are determined to turn the country into a total police state. Speak up people while we are still free.
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- Lt
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:07
I know I've posted about this before, but I'm still not seeing the benefit of such a law.
We of course have a law currently in the books called Driving Without Due Care and Attention.
Our city police force is stretched very thin, and I appreciate the fact they're prioritizing the more important enforcement, even if it means they must neglect the less relevant.
If someone is texting, talking, listening to their stereo too loud, wearing headphones, turning around to smack a kid, applying makeup, drinking coffee, who cares? They all fall under the same offense.
If the basic rules of the road were enforced here, 90% of the drivers would face huge fines for not signaling, hogging the passing lane, failure to stop at lights/signs, failure to yield, blocking traffic, and of course, driving without due care and attention, the list goes on.
I think people are caught up in the trend of cellphone users being the devil, that they totally forget the fact the law is already on the books, will never be enforced, and to be honest, it's the mouth-breathing few who can't make a simple call while driving, that gives those of us with this simple skill a bad name.
Am I wrong? Would such a law do anything but make a few lawyers some money? I'm just not seeing the benefit of making every pet peeve illegal. -
- Kim
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:43:03
Why not BAN DRINKING & DRIVING???? There should be 0 tollerance!! This is causing way more accidents than cell phone usage.
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- Frustrated
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:23
This morning on my way to work in Charlottetown's downtown core, I was almost struck by a blond-haired woman who was backing out of a parking spot on the opposite side of the street with a coffee in one hand and a cell phone in the other. Then as she proceded to cross lanes, without any regard for those vehicles around her, she took out a cigarette and held the phone to her shoulder. I think these roads have enough problems without adding the cell phone to the mix. If a call is so important, pull over. Simple. I value my life and those of my loved ones. Cell phones need to be banned.
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- Driver
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:37:57
Either allow drinking and driving or ban cell phones and driving. They both impair a drivers ability to safely operate a motorized vehicle.
I mean, why shouldn't some people be aloud to have a few cocktails on their drive home from work, some people have a long commute across the Island.
Come on Liberals, show some backbone and ban talking on cell phones, I thought it was time for a change! -
- Rustico
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:36:46
I think that the safety on the roads is not being policed to the full extent so with that in mind, perhaps the onus of responsibility should be put on the driver's record, known as an offense. But who will levy the offense? There are so many drunk drivers, crazy driving, with no regard to the law, this will just be another item, to get away with . I don't have much faith in policing anymore. The Police are so busy doing desk and computer work, there is no time to be on the road .
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- J
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:36:45
Old Tory, you are so far off it isn't even funny. It is the conservatives that are turning this country into a policed state. In fact, that is all the are worried about, crime, not health care-education-or anything else important...just crime. Harper is an absolute joke.
