Plan to ban cellphones while driving put on hold

A bill to ban talking on a cellphone while driving was placed on hold by the Alberta legislature Monday afternoon.

The private member's bill, put forward by Calgary MLA Art Johnston, would make it illegal to use a hand-held cellphone or any other communication device while behind the wheel.

During a debate on the bill, members voted to refer it to a committee for more study.

Johnston said he still believes the bill will pass.

"I see this as more information coming and I see it passing," he said. "They need more information, so I don't have a problem with putting it to committee to get more information to people, and get more input from the public.

"I don't see it as a bad thing, I just see that we need some more support, some more information."

He said he believes fellow MLAs will change their minds about the ban over the next few months.

"We have different levels of experience here, people that are relatively new and some people that have been here longer, obviously, like myself.  But I don't see it as a negative thing, I see it as a chance to gather more information," he said.

"It wasn't bad in my riding, but there are some other people that don't have the information coming in from their constituents, and they want more of that."

Johnston said he hopes Albertans will call or write their representatives to share their thoughts on the ban before the bill comes back before the legislature in the fall.

Premier Ed Stelmach has said that he does not like the idea of a ban because it would be difficult to enforce.

Three provinces already ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving: Nova Scotia, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Ontario is considering a ban.