Only four days into the province-wide ban of handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle, two Cornwall drivers received an expensive wakeup call. The Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) ticketed two city residents $155 under Ontario’s Bill 118, otherwise known as the new Distracted Driving Law. 

"Drivers who continue to drive while operating a handheld device do so at their own peril," said CCPS Chief Dan Parkinson. "A $155 fine is a significant financial penalty."

The law went into effect on Oct. 26 of 2009 throughout Ontario, but a grace period until Feb. 1 of 2010 allowed drivers to get away with a warning.

The only exception to the ban is a 911 call.

Drivers caught disobeying the new rule are given a fine of $125 including a victim surcharge and court fees that drive the ticket up to $155.

In an Ontario court of law a judge can also bring a ticket as low as $60 or as high as $500.

"The charges over the last four days do not reflect the number of times drivers are continuing to use handheld devices while driving," said Parkinson. "I firmly believe there are far more than that driving while using their cell phones."

Parkinson compared the Distracted Driving Law to seat belt laws instituted decades ago.

The police chief said that similar to the high degree of compliance shown towards proper seat belt use, drivers will ultimately comply with the new law over time.

Darrell Blakely, CCPS? Traffic Specialist Cst., said he is pleased with the voluntary compliance of the majority of motorists.

If drivers are involved in an accident without undue...