Minister welcomes support for proposed cell phone legislation

Government Services and Lands Minister Walter Noel said provincial legislators are prepared to deal sensibly with controlling the danger of cell phone use by drivers.

Mr. Noel said: "All House of Assembly members speaking in debate this week supported government�s bill to ban the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers while driving.

"Research and citizen experience are conclusive. Using cell phones while driving is a dangerous practice. Most people may be responsible most of the time, but we have to deal with those who are irresponsible, and we have to realize that even the most responsible have lapses. One mistake could prove very costly. The practice must be discouraged to promote safe driving and help reduce injuries, costs and insurance rates."

Ninety-five per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians believe cell phone use by drivers is either a serious or very serious safety problem, according to an opinion poll commissioned in August 2001. Only five per cent believe that all types of cell phone use should be permitted while driving. Fifty-five per cent said the practice should be prohibited entirely, while 39 per cent felt hands-free is acceptable.

A Leger Marketing poll indicated four out of five Canadians believe hand-held cell phone use by drivers should be illegal.

Approximately 30 countries have implemented cell phone restrictions to date. The state of New York and 14 local jurisdictions throughout the U.S. have enacted prohibitions. Many jurisdictions in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere are contemplating action.

The Canadian Medical Association, at its 1999 annual meeting, passed a resolution urging its members to lobby governments to ban the use of cellular phones in motor vehicles.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Citizens Federation has also requested a legislative ban on cell phone use while driving.

Mr. Noel said: "Our bill simply bans the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers while driving. Passengers may still use them, and drivers will be permitted to use the hands-free units. These, however, are also dangerous because people get caught up in conversations. With the growing number of distractions present while driving, people are realizing that everything reasonable has to be done to minimize the danger. This legislation focuses on hand-held cell phones because they are a very serious distraction which can be identified fairly easily, and the public is prepared to have them prohibited."

This Bill has received editorial support in the pages of the The Globe and Mail and The Telegram.

The Globe and Mail said:

Newfoundland and Labrador proposes to be the first province to bar people�s use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Most provinces have been studying the dangers and considering legislation but . . . have been slow to act.

Drivers are not very good at recognizing their limitations. Newfoundland has done us all a favour by insisting that they do so, as a matter of law.

Other provinces should follow its lead. Driving while speaking on a cell phone is dangerous, and with more than 2,900 Canadians dead in a typical year�s traffic accidents, governments have a major stake in safety on the roads and highways.

The Telegram wrote:

Public safety clearly must be the overriding concern in this matter. This province has recognized it, and hopefully other provinces will, too.

When people drive, a momentary lapse of concentration can have devastating consequences . . .

. . . the province�s proposed ban is a step down the right path.

Mr. Noel had this issue added to the agenda for the annual meeting of Canada�s Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety held in Winnipeg on September 20.

"This initiative has been encouraged by police officers because they recognize the danger, and want the practice specified to help them enforce due care and attention laws more effectively. The bill does not appear to be opposed by the wireless phone industry at this time, though such proposals have been questioned in the past. I believe they recognize the danger and realize most people will simply switch to hands-free.

"This bill is part of our extensive efforts to make driving safer, and reduce the cost of accidents and insurance. It will not cause an immediate reduction in insurance rates, but over time everything we do which reduces accidents and the cost of claims will be reflected in insurance premium costs."

Fines for violations will range from $45 to $180. Four demerit points will be assigned in keeping with similar imprudent driving penalties.

2002 11 22                                        4:20 p.m.