Beginning on July 15, people caught using hand-held cellphones or sending text messages while driving could face fines of close to $200, said the province.
The new law is part of an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act.
"We know the hazards that distracted drivers create on our roads. Talking on a hand-held cellphone and texting are major distractions while driving and we're moving to make our roads safer for all Manitobans," said Transportation Minister Steve Ashton in a media release.
The government said people texting while driving are 23 times more likely to get into an accident.
The amendments to the Highway Traffic Act were announced a year ago but are only coming into effect on July 15.
Under the new law, drivers can also face a fine of close to $200 for smoking in vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present.
The law does allow for the use of cellphones while driving if they are equipped with hands-free devices, said officials. The law also permits use of a hand-held cellphone to call fire, police or ambulance service in an emergency.
While people can be fined for offences under the amendments, there will be no demerits on people's licenses, which is somewhat worrisome to the Canadian Automobile Association.
"The key to this is to detract people from talking on their phone and if $191 dollars (in a fine) doesn't deter people, then certainly demerits would be an option," said Mike Mager with CAA Manitoba.
The province and MPI are launching a new ad campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of drivers using hand-held cellphones.
Additional details on the new law are available online at www.gov.mb.ca/seethesigns.
- with a report from CTV's Laura Lowe
