N.B. studies ban on cellphone use while driving

The New Brunswick government is considering a ban on cellphones while driving, according to Public Safety Minister John Foran.

New Brunswick and Alberta are the only provinces that still allow talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving.

The Department of Public Safety has long resisted the idea of banning drivers from talking on cellphones, opting instead for focusing on public education about how dangerous distracted driving can be.

ButForan said in an interview on Tuesday the provincial government is looking at a ban.

"Right now, the motor vehicle registrar has actually begun those consultations and I'm hoping we'll have a report back to me with the final consultations and hopefully get to move forward with some type of legislation," Foran said.

Foran said the provincial government will be consulting with a number of groupsthat would be affected by any policy changes, including the Insurance Bureau of Canada and provincial police forces.

IBC backs proposal

However, both police agencies and the Insurance Bureau of Canada have been vocal in the past in calling for stronger legislation to deal with distracted drivers.

Bill Adams, the regional vice-president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said there are some potential flaws with a ban on hand-held cellphone use by drivers.

"You can lull people into a false sense of security if you just put a ban on hand-held cell phones because people will think, 'Oh I'm safe now because I'm using hands-free,' and the research shows that's not the case."

Foran said he expects the final report on whether to move forward on a ban by summer and he isn't prejudging what the outcome of that consultation will be.

"I do believe there is an appetite there, although I do have people saying we shouldn't bring it in," he said.

"But I think in order to be responsible, we have to listen to both sides and at the end of the day make the decision that's best for the people of New Brunswick."

If the consultation process is finished in the summer, any potential legislation would have to wait until after the Sept. 27 provincial election.