The provincial government is hiking the penalties for distracted driving, more than doubling the cost of a first ticket from $280 to $580 plus 4 demerit points on your license.
The new penalties begin on Saturday.
SGI’s Tyler McMurchy explains there are actually 2 bylaws under the distracted driving umbrella.
The first is the cell phone bylaw where you are not allowed to hold, use, manipulate or look at a handheld electronic device while driving and the second is driving without due care and attention.
It comes into play when the driver is more focused on something other than the road and the safe operation of the vehicle.
McMurchy says that doesn’t mean you can’t visit or have a coffee, but it can’t keep your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing.
He gives the real life examples that police officers have seen like having a bowl of cereal, reading a book, watching a movie, or eating with chopsticks.

If you are ticketed a second time within a year of your first conviction, it will cost you $14-hundred, plus the demerits and the added bonus of having your vehicle impounded for 7 days and having to pay for the towing and impound fees.
If it happens a third time, the ticket is $21-hundred plus the demerits and vehicle seizure.