Manitoba adds demerit penalty for drivers caught using handheld devices

Manitoba Public Insurance has announced that drivers caught using handheld electronic devices will receive two demerits, in addition to the current $200 fine.

The demerits, used by several other Canadian jurisdictions, will have an mpact on an individual’s driver safety rating, MPI pointed out.

“Demerits will trigger downward movement on the DSR scale and affect the insurance premiums payable on the driver’s licence, in addition to premium discounts on registered vehicles,” according to a statement from the Manitoba government.

The new regulation will become effective Aug. 1.

“Statistics show that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to become involved in a collision than a non-texting driver,” Sgt. Rob Riffel, commander of the Central Traffic Unit with the Winnipeg Police Service noted in the statement.

“Adding demerits, in addition to the fines that are already in place, sends a strong message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated,” he added.

It is legal for drivers to make calls if the equipment is a hands free device and used in a hands free manner, according to the province.

According to MPI, about 160 road deaths in Manitoba have been linked to distracted driving since 2005, an average of 20 per year.