Changes to the Yukon's Motor Vehicles Act come into force today, meaning drivers can expect hefty fines if they're caught talking or texting while behind the wheel.

There will be a little leniency at first, according to the RCMP's head of traffic services. Officers will issue warnings, but will be handing out the $250 fine if they feel it's necessary to get the point across.

"We'll use our discretion for a period of time; however, if we see a blatant misuse, we're going to deal with it appropriately,” said Cpl. Shawn Pollard.

"I think the education component has been done very well by the government and the media. Everyone knows it's coming.” The Department of Highways and Public Works spent approximately $10,000 on ads informing drivers of the new law.

In addition to the fine, guilty drivers will also have to pay a $38 victim services fine, and will get three demerit points against their licences.

New drivers still on a graduated licence will have to go back to the beginning of their probation period if caught talking or texting.

Those on graduated licences will have their driving privileges suspended at seven demerit points, while regular drivers are suspended at 15 demerits. Demerit points are removed from a person's driving record two years after conviction.

Pollard said there has been some criticism of the law in jurisdictions around North America. One U.S. study showed drivers may actually pick up more dangerous habits by trying to hide their phones from view while texting.

"But we can't do anything about that,' Pollard said. "It is more important to curb this behaviour.”

With more public education and communication with police officers, people will learn that using a cell phone while driving is unacceptable, just as they learned that buckling up is part of being in a vehicle, Pollard said.

In B.C., where a similar law came into force last February, Vancouver police handed out 5,208 tickets in 2010 for driving while using an electronic device. They have handed out 1,925 tickets in 2011 alone.

"It is not uncommon for officers to see people come to a stop at a red light, pick up the phone and start texting,” said Jana McGuines, a Vancouver Police Department spokesperson.

"In fact, our traffic officers driving unmarked police vehicles, target cell phone violations regularly.

"They pull up next to drivers in intersections and watch as the cell phones come out and the texting begins. The drivers are completely unaware that they are being watched until they are pulled over and ticketed.”

In February alone, the B.C. RCMP, who have jurisdiction over most of the province outside of Vancouver, caught more than 3,000 people using electronic devices while driving.

Officers there heard the range of excuses, according to Supt. Mike Diack, including: "I was just on my way to the mall to buy a blue tooth”, "I was just telling my husband to call back later because I'm driving”, and "I thought I might miss an important call.”

"Whatever people may say, there is simply no excuse – except calling for emergency assistance – to be using hand held electronic devices while driving,” Diack said.

Alberta's anti-cell phone law will come into force in June. The Northwest Territories is drafting a similar law.