Federal transport minister Marc Garneau is proposing the creation of a tough national standard to penalize distracted drivers using their cellphones on the road.
READ MORE: Texting while driving still a problem: CAA
While dangerous driving is covered under the Criminal Code, cases involving distraction are a provincial responsibility that result in fines and demerit points that vary widely across regions.
READ MORE: SQ to crack down on cellphone use behind the wheel
Garneau last week sent a letter to his provincial counterparts calling for stiffer penalties for texting and talking on cellphones while driving.
WATCH BELOW: Dangers of texting and driving
The minister has yet to get a response from provinces.
READ MORE: Tougher laws for texting drivers
But he says governments need to act more quickly to this growing issue than it did in the past to combat drunk driving.
READ MORE: Think it’s easy to text and drive? Think again
He declined to say if he would like to see cars taken away from drivers found guilty of distracted driving but says stricter standards are required.
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