Distracted driving fines increase Sunday

The penalties for texting or talking on a cellphone while driving is going up in Nova Scotia.

As of Sunday, the fines will increase to $233.95 for a first offence, $348.95 for a second offence and $578.95 for a third or subsequent offence.

Transport minister Geoff MacLellan said, in addition, drivers will be slapped with four demerit points for each conviction.

“If you’re a new driver that equates to losing your licence for 6-months,” said MacLellan.  “If you’re an experienced driver, you have 10 demerit points before you actually lose your licence.”

MacLellan said statistics show distracted driving is a significant problem in Nova Scotia.

“There were 83 fatalities in 2012 alone due to inattention or distraction,” he said.  “It really ranks up there with now with impaired driving and speed in terms of causing collisions and causing fatalities.”

MacLellan said the transportation department will continue to monitor the changes to see if they reduce the problem.

He said the only time you can make a call from your cellphone is to report an emergency situation.

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