Check your cellphone and reread the last text message you received. Would you pay $155 to read that? Would you cause a car accident, potentially hurting yourself or someone else? Would you face jail time?

That's what might happen under Ontario's driving legislation if you're caught using your cell phone to text or make calls when you're driving.

"I think it's a very serious problem," said London Police Traffic Sgt. Tom O'Brien. "(People) just can't put (their phones) down."

The revised Highway Traffic Act came into effect last October, and enforcement began in February 2010. It states that drivers are forbidden to use cell phones to talk, text or e-mail, or to use other handheld devices (such as MP3 players or GPS) while behind the wheel.

"This law has been a long time in coming," said Sgt. O'Brien. "(The government) recognizes that distracted driving is a very serious offence."

"My take on it would be what the driver would suffer from is tunnel vision and auditory exclusion," explained Sgt. O'Brien. "You're paying attention to one thing and your focus is not on the road,"

Since the law came into effect, Ontario Provincial Police have charged over 5,100 people across Ontario using cell phones or other technology while driving. London Police Services have laid 383 distracted driving charges.

The punishment for distracted driving is a $155 fine. If, however, a driver breaks any traffic laws while using a cell phone — such as failing to stop for a stop sign or weaving outside a lane — more serious charges can be laid, such as careless or dangerous driving. These drivers could face court appearances or, in rare cases, jail time, said Sgt. O'Brien.

"Careless driving is one of the most serious offences under the Highway Traffic Act," he said. A driver charged with careless driving can face six demerit points and a minimum fine of $400. When a novice driver (holding a class G1 or G2 licence) has six points on his licence, he must attend an interview to discuss his driving record and give reasons why the licence should not be suspended. Failure to attend this meeting may result in automatic licence suspension.