New cellphone restrictions and parking regulations will greet Vancouver drivers as they return to work and school today.
In addition, the first Olympic road closure (not related to the Athletes’ Village) was scheduled to take effect today on Abbott Street between Pacific and Expo boulevards.
The road closures will continue throughout January, with Quebec Street adjacent the Athletes’ Village closing Jan. 15. Renfrew Street at the Pacific Coliseum and Waterfront and Canada Place roads will be closed near the end of the month.
The cellphone restrictions, which were introduced by the government last fall, restrict cellphone by motorists to hands-free devices.
The law took effect Jan. 1 but will be run as an education campaign for the first month.
Beginning Feb. 1, drivers caught talking without hands-free will be subject to a $167 fine.
Those caught emailing or texting could receive three points on their licence.
Vancouver’s new parking regulations, which also began New Year’s Day, will see new parking hours extended (9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week) at parking meters across the city.
New parking meter rates take effect in April and will see the highest rate in Downtown increased to $6 an hour.
