It is about to cost you a whole lot more if you get caught using your cellphone while driving.
As of September 1, the fine will increase from $225 to $400, plus a surcharge fee of $90 and three demerit points.
The fine also applies if you get caught using your GPS, ipod or any electronic device.
"The fine was already a fairly substantial fine leading up to this legislation, $280 and yet we were still seeing people on a very regular basis willing to risk their safety and the safety of others," says Traffic Management Unit Sgt. Amanda Pfeffer. "Last year up until this point in time we had issued 1,800 offence notices and this year we are exactly the same."
There will also be changes to the fines surrounding cyclist safety.
The fine for not having a white light on the front and a red light or reflect on the back of your bike 1/2 before sunset and 1/2 before sunrise will increase from $20 to $85.
Drivers who fail to leave 1m while passing a cyclist will be fined $85 as well. The offence of "dooring" a cyclist, or hitting them with your vehicle door while they are passing by, now has a set fine of $300.
