Hands-free phones are selling like hot cakes

Since April 1st, a driver talking on a cell phone can be charged with a fine of $80 to $100 and be given three demerit points. The penalties are written up in the new law modifying the Quebec Highway Safety Code and demerit point regulations that has been highly publicized over the last few months.

As it stands now policemen will only hand out warnings until July 1st. A new section will be added to police reports where they can indicate that a cell phone was the potential cause of an accident.

"Before, the agent noted it in the "comments" section of the report," said Franco Di Genova from the Laval Police Department.

He thinks that statistical evidence will be maintained more efficiently this way.

On the Transport Quebec website it states that the use of hands free phones will be permitted, but that it is still discouraged as it still poses a threat to safe driving.

A study done in 2002 by researchers at Transport Canada established that "even if the devices in the vehicle are hands free, significant changes in the driver's behavior can result from the mental distraction connected to their usage."

The study looked at 21 drivers who drove 8 km within an urban area. They had to respond to a simple math question speaking over a handsfree phone.

With the help of a device that measured eye movement the researchers concluded that the drivers were distracted by having to solve a problem. They had a tendency to stare straight ahead, to check their rearview mirrors less and often made abrupt stops.

PHOTO DIGITALES: 1867 Alariephoto

(Photo:Martin Alarie)