Bill 7, an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, states it’s against the law to use a hand-held cell phone while driving.

Doctors Nova Scotia supports this law. In fact, the association suggested the legislation go a step farther and also ban the use of hands-free cell phones since drivers using a hand-held or hands-free phone have the same slowed reactions.

Research shows using a cell phone – either hands-free or handheld – slows a driver’s reaction time. Drivers talking on cell phones are more likely to be involved in rear-end collisions and miss important signals such as traffic lights or a vehicle braking in front of them. Drivers also respond slower to signals they do notice.

Bill 7 received royal assent on Dec. 13, 2007.