The Ontario government is doing the right thing by introducing new legislation that will make it illegal to use cell phones or other hand-held devices while driving.

But they are doing us no favours by allowing for a phase-in period, where charges will not be laid.

The legislation, which comes into effect on Oct. 26, will have a three-month “education period,” during which police will not issue tickets.

They will have, however, the discretion to lay charges by the way of summons, when they deem it appropriate.

It is doubtful, however, that many officers will make this extra effort during the “education period,” which means many drivers will be getting away with a practice that is not only stupid, it is dangerous.

It should only be common sense that something that requires as much care and attention as driving does not mix well with sending text messages.

And for those who scoff at common sense, there are plenty of statistics to show that cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Many studies have shown that drivers using a cell phone are four times more likely than other drivers to be involved in a crash.

And yet, there are hundreds of drivers every day who are taking incredible risks — with their lives and the lives of those around them — by texting, carrying on lengthy conversations, or changing the song on their Ipod while driving through an intersection.

We should not need extra time to get used to this legislation. Drivers should not be using these devices, and they shouldn’t need the law to tell them so.

Of course, the fact that this legislation is being enacted proves that we can’t count on drivers to do the right thing.

Too many press releases come into this newspaper, each and every day, that highlight the stupidity that is all too prevalent when drivers get behind the wheel.

If it isn’t the cell phone, it is that cheeseburger and fries that is drawing attention away from the road, or perhaps that mascara that still needs to be put on, before arriving at work.

This is one of the hazards we have from living in a society where multi-tasking is praised, and any down time — such as time stuck in traffic — must be used for multiple different tasks, instead of the task at hand.

But a drive to work in which the driver has no recollection of the drive is not one that saves time, it is one that could cost lives.

We all need to learn that driving is a task that does not combine well with any other activity.

The sooner charges — and fines of up to $500 — can be levied against these irresponsible drivers, the better.