Elias Pleased the Yukon Party Sees the Light on Distracted Drivers

02-Dec-2009

Whitehorse: After telling Yukoners as recently as July there was no need to regulate cell phone use while driving the Yukon Party government has now agreed to do just that, says Darius Elias, MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin.  On Wednesday afternoon all government members approved a motion to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones and other similar electronic devices while driving or operating a motor vehicle on a highway.

“I’d like to thank Yukoners for making their voices heard through their letters to the editor and letters to the government,” said Elias.  “I have been raising this for over a year now and I am pleased the Yukon Party has changed its mind and is moving ahead on this issue of public safety.”

In July the Minister of Highways and Public Works wrote a letter telling Yukoners ‘amendments of this nature to the Motor Vehicles Act are not currently being considered.’

“It was only a couple of months ago the Yukon Party opposed these types of changes.  In the meantime, Yukoners continue to be subjected to the dangers of distracted drivers on our roadways,” Elias said.

The dangers of distracted drivers have been recognized by the dozens of jurisdictions nationally and globally that have limited or banned the use of hand-held devices while driving. Most recently, on October 26, 2009, the Province of Ontario put into effect a law prohibiting the use of any hand-held communication or entertainment device while driving.

Dialing and text-messaging are the most dangerous activities, Elias pointed out, with drivers who text-message twenty-three times more likely to be in an accident. Young drivers are particularly likely to get hurt as a result of using a cell phone while driving.

The motion was supported by all parties and opposed by the MLA for Lake Laberge.

For additional information contact:
Jason Cunning 667-8942