N.W.T. adds licence suspensions to distracted driving legislation

N.W.T.'s distracted driving legislation will have tougher penaltiesafter a bill making the changes received assent last week.

The definition of "use"of a restricted electronic device, such as a cellphone, while driving willnow include holding, operating or touching the device.

People caught using their cellphones while drivingfor the second, third and fourth time in a two-year periodcan now have their licences suspended for24 hours, seven days and 30days, respectively.

The changesalso create a specific offence fordriving while using a restricted electronic device in a school or construction zone, which means fines can be set higher.

There is no word yet on when these changes will come into force.