Steinbach RCMP report tougher penalties for distracted driving appear to be working. As of November 1, motorists caught using a portable cell phone while driving receive a three-day suspension of their driver's licence and five demerit points. The fine has more than tripled to $672. A second offence will lead to a seven-day suspension.

Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga says officers are noticing a significant reduction in distracted driving however not everyone has gotten the message.

"With respect to cell phone use or distracted driving, I know just last week we issued seven tickets under the new legislation."

But he reiterates the general feeling is that many people are taking the new law seriously.

"In discussions with officers, they've mentioned that even though we are doing dedicated patrols, looking specifically for cell phone use, that we're noticing it's much more difficult to find violators and that people are apparently complying."

Laninga says people who are caught are given a temporary licence for 24-48 hours so they can get their vehicles home. He explains, if you were given such a ticket today you would get a temporary licence until tomorrow night at midnight at which time the 72-hour suspension would begin.

The province put in the tougher rules because distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the province.