No cellphone ban for new B.C. drivers

The B.C. government won't ban new drivers from using cellphones while driving, rejecting a call by the Canadian Automobile Association to make drivers hang up.

Solicitor General John Les is not convinced banning mobile phones for novice drivers is the way to go, a spokesman said.

The government has said it prefers to focus on driver education to create a greater awareness of the dangers of phone use in the car.

• INDEPTH: Driving and Dialing

The CAA argues that 80 per cent of traffic accidents are caused by distracted drivers, and says drivers are distracted by everything from billboards to cellphone conversations, to the coffee they're drinking.

Speaking on CBC Radio's The Early Edition, CAA president David Flewelling said if the province won't make cellphone use illegal, then the association will have to launch a media campaign to change drivers' behaviour.

"What turned the tide on seatbelt usage was an education campaign, and it really showed the dangers of not using your seatbelt. And that's what convinced people," he said.

"I don't think the law convinced people. I think the education campaign convinced people."

• INTERVIEW: The Early Edition's Rick Cluff speaks with David Flewelling.

This is the second time in less than two months there have been questions about cellphone use by young drivers.

In early May a fatal accident in Chilliwack involved cellphone use by a teen. A 17-year-old driver, talking on her phone, ran down a female cyclist, renewing calls for government action

• FROM MAY 3, 2006: Driver's cellphone use blamed for cyclist's death