New distracted driving penalties came into effect in Manitoba today.

The fine amount has tripled from $203 to $672. In addition to the fine, anyone charged with distracted driving would see five demerit points on their driver's license and a three-day drivers license suspension.

The penalties might seem harsh but unfortunately the message is not hitting home to every driver, Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt says.

He notes collisions caused by distracted driving have increased at an alarming rate from nearly 5,000 just six years ago to over 15, 000 last year. 

Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt

Hunt reminds drivers the only safe way to use a cellular phone while driving a motor vehicle is to have the phone mounted to the interior of your car where you can answer a call by pressing a button only once and then using the speaker option.

"Yeah it is a concern with drivers in Winkler for sure," he says. "It's definitely harder to pick out when you’re in a police cruiser but we do from time to time have officers in plain clothes watching for that very thing where people are texting with the phone on their lap."

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says a violation record stays in effect for ten years, and a second offence will increase the suspension of your license for seven days with the $670 fine as well as loss of five demerits. You'll also report to the registrar and defend your driving.

Schuler says this does touch upon other means of distracted driving.

"If officers notice you have a milkshake, a slice of pizza, or a family pet on your lap, and you are moving across the line, and they can see that you are very distracted, they can pull you over," adds Schuler. "They can give you the fine, which will be the $670, and they can administer the three-day suspension."

He says the difference between this kind of distraction and that involving an electronic device is that it is mandatory to issue a three-day suspension when electronics are involved. Otherwise, as with food, for example, there can be a levy.

Schuler says Manitoba is currently now right up there with Ontario, while that province has a slightly different approach. He says our demerit system and higher cost for licenses makes Manitoba slightly more stringent than Ontario. Schuler says other provinces are watching Ontario and Manitoba, noting they have received the same data we have. All of Canada knows distracted driving is now killing more people than driving and drinking. Schuler adds this is clearly a public policy that must be addressed.