Manitoba stiffens penalty for cellphone-using distracted drivers

The province says it's gearing up to crackdown on distracted drivers in Manitoba by giving demerits out to those caught in the act.The move is being applauded by many Manitobans who have lost people close to them because of careless drivers.

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Former tow truck driver Amanda Frizzley was killed after a drunk driver slammed into her vehicle. Her friend Michelle Golebioski said the driver has to live with that for the rest of their life.

"I am sure that they [wish they] could take it back, but they can't," said Golebiowski.

Since the crash that took her friends life, Golebiowski has become an advocate against impaired and distracted driving.

"It only takes a few seconds to be distracted, but the consequences last a lifetime," she said.

Golebiowski said she's hopeful the province will set the bar high when it announces a crackdown on dangerous drivers Thursday.

Driver penalties

The province said WednesdayManitobans caught texting-while-driving, or otherwise using a cellphone while behind the wheel,can expect to receivemore than twodemerits on their licence.

Anthony Gindin said he's happy he learned his lesson when he was young without anyone getting hurt.

"I actually got into a small rear ending accident while texting and driving when I was younger," he said."It could have been far worse."

While some people think the new demerit penalty doesn't go far enough to deter drivers, others think educating people about the risks involved in distracted driving hold the answer.

"I think the more people know about this and the more they become aware of the impact it has on their own driving, the less likely they will engage in the stupidity that so many people do," saidAlan Ashton.

A spokesperson for ManitobaMinister ofJustice and Attorney General GordMackinstoshsaidthe new regulations will be announcedaspart of the government's Safer Roads Act.

Manitoba isn't the only province cracking down on distracted driving. Quebec started handing out four-demerit-point penalties to distracted driverslate last month.