The Moose Jaw Police Service is preparing for new legislation that makes it against the law to talk, text or surf the internet while driving. The legislation was passed by the provincial government and will take effect starting January 1st.

Police Chief Dale Larsen admits enforcement could be a bit of a problem at first, but hopes residents will get on board. "For the most part I think drivers do realize that it is a safety issue and there's numerous studies out there that show, especially in relation to texting while driving, how much of a distraction that is and the dangers involved."

As a result, Larsen believes the number of accidents caused by driver inattention should drop. "For example, that young age group of new drivers between 15 and 18 years of age make up approximately six per cent of Saskatchewan drivers but account for approximately 20 per cent of collisions where driver distraction was the main cause. So, specifically for that age group I think we're probably going to see less accidents caused by driver distraction."

The fine for using a cell phone is $280 dollars and four demerit points. "Initially we look at some of the numbers out of Montreal when Quebec proposed their legislation and there was a number of tickets given in the first few weeks. I would think we could see some of that here and then for the most part it'll become more of a deterrent and hopefully people will not use it because they realize it is a public safety issue."

New drivers in Saskatchewan's Graduated Driver's Licensing program will not be able to use cell phones of any type while operating a vehicle, while more experienced drivers can use hands-free equipment. On duty, police, fire and EMS personnel will be exempt from the new law and so will drivers making a 911 call to report an emergency.

Saskatchewan joins a number of Canadian jurisdictions, American states and more than 50 countries world-wide that have similar cell phone bans.