WINNIPEG — A man in his 60s is the first driver in the province to have his licence suspended for seven days for using a smartphone while driving.
Manitoba Public Insurance says the driver’s first offence happened in late November, resulting in an automatic three-day licence suspension under tougher new rules that took effect November 1.
His second offence happened in early January in Portage la Prairie.
MPI says nearly 300 drivers have had their licences suspended since November.
“Distracted driving can result in a fatal collision,” said Satvir Jatana, vice-president responsible for communications with MPI. “In 2017 alone, distracted driving was a contributing factor in more than 15,000 collisions, while 30 Manitobans lost their lives in distracted-related motor vehicle collisions.”
Drivers convicted of using a hand-operated electronic device while driving are also handed $672 fine and five demerits.
