Legislation to make the province's roads safer by prohibiting the use of hand-held devices to talk, text or e-mail while driving, today received third reading in the legislature.

Drivers will be prohibited from using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held electronic entertainment or communications devices while driving.  The use of hands-free devices would be permitted.

Emergency calls, such as calls to 911, will not be affected.

Transport Canada estimates that driver distraction is a contributing factor in about 20 per cent of all collisions.  Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash.

Once supporting regulations are developed, the new law could be in effect as early as this fall.