The province's ban on using hand-held cellphones while driving took effect July 15.
The amendments to the Highway Traffic Act include banning talking on a hand-held cellphone or texting while driving. They also prohibit smoking in a vehicle when a child under the age of 16 is present.
"We are increasing safety on our roads and promoting healthier living for children. And, as of tomorrow, those measures will be backed up with fines," said Steve Ashton, the province's minister of transportation.
Fines for people caught in violation of the new amendments are $199.80.
RCMP said there are no plans at the moment to have targeted enforcement of the ban. Winnipeg police, however, have asked their officers to pay special attention to people using phones while on the road during the next few days.
Police said they'll be looking for people on their cellphones who are driving poorly.
"That's what we want we want to stop--the bad behaviour," said Sgt. Doug Safioles of the Winnipeg police's central traffic unit.
Drivers caught talking on hand-held cell phones will not lose merits on their license and will only be required to pay the fine.
Even if you're not texting or talking on the phone while driving, people can still be ticketed just for holding the phone in their hands while behind the wheel.
"It needs to be put in a holder that's affixed to your car…even a cup holder, something that's solid. (It) can't be lying on your lap. You can be holding it. You can't even be looking at it," said Sgt. Safioles.
Manitoba joins the ranks of multiple other provinces that currently have similar bans in place, including Ontario and British Columbia.
The new law in Manitoba permits people to use cellphones while driving if the equipment is a hands-free device that is used in a hands-free manner, said provincial officials.
Many Manitobans have already switched to hands-free devices, but a number of drivers that CTV News spoke to on Wednesday were still talking and texting using hand-held devices.
People using hand-held phones must pull over and have their vehicle in park to talk. Those rules apply even in parking lots.
People can only use a hand-held cellphone while driving in emergencies to contact fire, ambulance or police services under the new law.
Additional information is available online at www.manitoba.ca/seethesigns
- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley
