TORONTO — It’s enough to make CW McCall switch to singing the blues.

Ontario’s ban on hand-held cell phones, texting and other communication devices while driving kicks in on October 26, and surprisingly, the government has included truckers’ Citizen Band Radios (CBs) and similar types of two-way radios in the ban.

According to the Ontario Trucking Association, the government plans to phase out CBs and similar UHF/VHF radios over the next three years, assuming that two-way, hands-free technologies are developed within that time. The OTA says that the Ministry could extend that timeframe should no suitable technology be readily available to replace CBs.

Officials insist CBs present a particular challenge since the receiver and communications unit are separate from each other and connected by a cord.

The pending Ontario ban on CB radios appears to be the only one of its kind in North America.

The law, which passed earlier this year, officially takes effect on October 26, where the focus will be on educating drivers. Police will start issuing tickets on February 1, 2010 for non-compliance.

The set fine for talking without hands-free setting or Bluetooth while driving has yet to be determined before that date. However, the fine range permissible for this offense is between $60 and $500. Reportedly, demerit points will not be handed out for violations.

There are some accommodations for the commercial sector, however, including permanent exemptions for satellite, navigation, collision avoidance and other fleet management systems for the viewing of logistical information on a display as long as the vehicle is not in motion and the device is not held in hand.

BREAKER BREAKER: Talking on a CB three
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The same goes for hand-held push-to-talk devices, hand mics and walkie-talkies, which are popular in short-haul and vocational applications especially.

Just as the law applies to standard cell phones, push-to-talk devices can only be used while driving if they are mounted or secured to the vehicle and is easily accessible and activated by one press of a button. It cannot be hanging from the roof of the cab or dashboard.

OTA played a big part in winning some exemptions. Before the finishing touches were made to the law, MTO officials were taken to trucking companies to witness the need of such technology in daily operations.

The OTA supported the intent and the principle of the law. It says the final version "is directionally appropriate."

"We support the hand-held cell-phone ban and believe that the Ministry has made reasonable accommodation for most of the other hand-held devices used by industry that serve an important business purpose."

However, Bradley concedes that the three-year phase-out of hand-held CBs is likely to draw the attention of many truck drivers.

“Given the still pervasive use of these devices in the industry, I expect there could be push-back from some truck drivers,” he said. "In many respects the CB is not only an important part of the truckers’ social network, but it is also an important safety device in its own right."