Quebec drivers flaunting cell phone ban

MONTREAL, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Canadian province of Quebec has earned about $500,000 on fines to drivers ignoring a new ban on using handheld cell phones, treasury officials said.

Since the ban went into effect on July 1, provincial police have issued 2,422 tickets, each worth $115 for driving and using a handheld cell phone on provincial roads, The Gazette newspaper in Montreal reported.

In Montreal in July alone, an additional 1,737 tickets were handed out, the report said.

In Montreal suburbs, Longueuil police issued 495 tickets between July 1 and Aug. 5, while Laval issued 245 in all of July and August, the report said.

There has been a windfall for vendors of hands-free phones, including the big-box Future Shop chain.

Spokesman Thierry Lopez said such hands-free systems as Parrots and Bluetooths are selling briskly.

"We can't put a percentage on (the increase) but it has been enormous," he said. "It's the ideal Christmas gift (and) also a good way to save money by not paying a fine."