WINNIPEG – Drivers in Manitoba who get caught texting or talking on their cellphones will now face a stiffer penalty for the infraction.
Starting today, they will receive two demerits on their licence on top of the existing fine.
That means they’ll end up paying more for a licence and vehicle insurance.
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Police and the province have both said they will consider using even more demerits if the message doesn’t sink in.
Figures from Manitoba Public Insurance indicate about 20 deaths a year have been linked to distracted driving in the province since 2005.
Statistics also suggest drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to be in an accident and one-quarter of fatal crashes in Manitoba are caused by some form of distracted driving.
(CJOB)
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