SQ to crack down on cellphone use behind the wheel

Thinking of reaching for your cellphone while driving? You may want to reconsider.

Starting Monday, Quebec provincial police and police forces across the province, will be cracking down on motorists using a cellphone while driving.

READ MORE: Think it’s easy to text and drive? Think again

The operation is in conjunction with an awareness campaign by the Societé de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) that aims to educate drivers about the dangers of texting while behind the wheel.

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READ MORE: Distracted driving deaths outpacing impaired driving deaths

Police are reminding drivers that cellphone use while operating a vehicle, be it to talk to someone or send a text message, reduces the driver’s capacity to concentrate on the road and drastically increases the risks of being involved in a collision.

READ MORE: Should distracted driving be a federal crime? Justice minister now open to discussion

Officers are also reminding drivers that just holding a phone in your hand while driving constitutes an infraction.

Anyone caught will face a fine of $120 and four demerit points.