Quebec hand-held cellphone ban nets hundreds of tickets

Montreal police have issued 847 tickets to drivers caught using their hand-held cellphones since the law came into full effect this summer.

The provincial law that restricts the use of cellphones while driving was formally introduced April 1, but drivers were given verbal warnings in the first three months.

In the two first weeks since the grace period ended July 1, police have handed out 847 tickets. The fine for talking on a hand-held device while driving can reach $115.

Drivers can be fined even if they are holding their phone in their hand and not talking on it.

Hands-free phones are allowed.

Nova Scotia also introduced a similar law this spring.