There will soon be a steeper penalty if you’re charged with distracted driving.

Currently if you’re charged with distracted driving in the Province of Manitoba, you will be facing a fine of $203 as well as 5 demerit points.

Constable Sandy Deibert, from the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News to talk about the changes that are coming.

The new legislation from the Provincial Government would see an automatic three day suspension being added to the fine and points, which makes them the same penalties for driving under the influence.

Deibert said that the fatalities from alcohol-related and distracted driving-related collisions are similar, but the current penalties are not. She added that people are losing their lives on the road because of mobile electronic devices and that it needs to stop.