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durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ March 1,2006 ♦ Page 5 O'Toole introduces cellphone legislation Durham MPP hopeful about - private member's bill f BY JENNIFER STONE l Staff Writer , CLARINGTON - Durham Durham MPP John O'Toole is hoping that even if his private private member's bill aimed at banning hand-held cellphone cellphone use by drivers doesn't pass, it will at least prompt debate on the risk of use of technology while behind the wheel. The MPP and current transportation critic reintroduced reintroduced the bill Thursday Thursday for first reading, for at least the third time. Last time around, it completed third reading before dying with the change of govern ment. Mr. O'Toole's bill would end use of hand-held cellphones cellphones while driving, though hands-free devices would be allowed. Exceptions Exceptions would be made for those using cellphones to report an emergency, traffic ■ accident, unlawful act, or unsafe road conditions. The legislation also calls for changes to driver education education curriculum to increase awareness of driver distraction distraction and to ensure the topic is part of the test to receive a driver's licence. As well, it would mandate that accident investigation reports give an account of whether onboard technology technology was a contributing factor in an accident. It would also require that novice drivers not use cellphones, including including hands-free devices, when driving, and allow the Minister of Transportation to add additional devices to the restricted list through regulation in an effort to allow the legislation to keep pace with changing technology. technology. Even if the bill does not pass,. Mr. O'Toole said he hopes the government will use the bill as a jumping off point for discussion and study. "I will expect a commit- Charter argument fails, man back to jail ment to look at the research on the broad issue of driver distraction, and to look at risk by use of driver technology," technology," he said. More than two dozen jurisdictions around the world have banned the use of cellphones while driving. Britain, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New York State have all passed laws restricting the use of cellphones cellphones in vehicles. John O'Toole X From page 1 ;•*; out cold in a gas station park- £ ing lot for seven hours, his van ,v= window open despite cold and X! rainy conditions - made an X investigation by police obliga- X tory. 1 fe- Justice. Alan Bryant issued a lengthy written ruling in • L which he stated that although police had committed some "minor, unintentional breaches x X of Mr. Wesley's constitutional ï< y y y & ir' y \r i# y C ■C' 1 •iv, - K <9, W*' ft. A P i* w A' I e k HÎ* r- .r rights, they had acted according according to law and in good faith. 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