Ontario's teen drivers could face cellphone ban

Ontario teenagers would be barred from using cellphones or digital music players while driving if a private member's bill is passed into law.

New drivers already have restrictions placed on them under the province's graduated licensing system, including bans on alcohol, and driving after midnight, but Liberal MPP Kevin Flynn says the rules don't go far enough.

"We've said to that same novice driver, if someone calls you, you can pick up the phone and talk to them," the Oakville backbencher said. "That doesn't make any sense to me."

If it becomes law, the bill — slated for a second reading in the province's legislature Oct. 12 — would be the second such piece of legislation enacted in Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador passed a similar law in 2003 that bans the use of hand-held cellphones by all drivers.

Ontario Conservative MPP John O'Toole has sought a law like Newfoundland and Labrador's since 1999 without success.

Private member's bills rarely become law.

At least 14 countries have banned drivers from using cellphones, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Chile, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Africa and Spain.

In November 2001, New Yorkbecame the firststate in the U.S. to ban the use of handheld cellphones by drivers.

Previous studies have blamed driver distraction— eating, talking to a passenger or changing the radio — for a higher risk of accidents.

Other studies say talking on a cellphone while driving can increasethe risk of an accident by four times.