N.W.T. to vote on distracted driving legislation

People driving in the Northwest Territories will soon have to stop picking up their phones when they're behind the wheel.

MLAsare set to vote Tuesday on new distracted driving legislation, banning cellphones and hand-held devices while driving.

On Monday, MLAs reviewing the bill in the legislature applauded it as long overdue.

Transporation Minister Michael McLeod says the legislation is similar to others across Canada and he hopes it reduces the number of collisions.

If it passes, the new rules will go into effect Jan. 1.

McLeod says there will be a public campaign to tell people about the changes.

Regulations spelling out the penalities will be determined by the next minister of transportationafter October'selection.