Since the CAA published their survey revealing the #1 road safety concern for most Canadians is texting and driving, using cellphones while driving has been a hot topic in the news. Despite having a cellphone ban in effect for a year now, most of these reports indicate Ontario drivers are having a hard time putting their mobiles down.

February 14, 2011, marked the one year anniversary for Ontario’s cellphone ban and Toronto police celebrated by cracking down on drivers through their campaign, “Last Call: Whatever You Have to Say Can Wait,” reported CTV.ca. Since January, police say they’ve handed out 1,275 tickets (an average of 41 per day) for $155 fine each.

The Toronto Star reported earlier this month that $46,000 tickets were issued across Ontario within the first year of the provincial ban. The article also cites several studies which support the need for the legislation:

• A Canadian landmark study which found mobile use while driving makes motorists four times more likely to be in a collision.
• In a Utah study, they discovered cellphone users were more impaired in their driving skills than those who were drunk.

Illustrating that all Ontario drivers have been slow to change their behaviour, late last month a TTC bus driver was caught on film texting and driving (source: TorontoSun.com).

In other parts of Ontario, Cornwall Police Chief told the media he hasn’t seen an improvement since the legislation came into effect and in Sudbury, cops issue tickets while directing traffic (source: theglobeandmail.com).

In most cases, change happens over time. Getting a distracted driving ticket is one way to change behaviour, but as we learned in our last post, Study: Most Effective Approach with Teens, Texting & Driving, Ontario drivers can avoid negative reinforcement and embrace responsibility in contributing to safer roads.

What are your thoughts on cellphone bans and, based on the