TORONTO - Ontario's Liberal government will introduce legislation Tuesday to restrict the use of cellphones, BlackBerries and other electronic devices by drivers, Transportation Minister Jim Bradley confirmed Monday.

Bradley declined to release any details of the bill, but sources said it would include regulations to force Ontario drivers to use hands-free equipment when making calls and specifically ban text-messaging and emailing while driving.

Government sources said there would also be new rules governing the use of global positioning systems by drivers.

"Remember, people were just talking about banning cellphones previously, but the premier asked me to look at a number of pieces of electronic equipment and how they're used" by drivers, Bradley said.

"We did an extensive consultation with our safety partners, people like the police and the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and developed our legislation."

In 2003, Newfoundland and Labrador became the first province to ban the use of hand-held cellphones, with penalties ranging from $11 to $400 plus four demerit points.

Quebec and Nova Scotia both moved earlier this year to stop drivers from using hand-held cellphones, with Quebec motorists facing fines of $115 plus the loss of three demerit points, while Nova Scotia's fines start at $164.50 for a first offence and grow to $337 for subsequent offences.

Ontario's opposition parties said there's little doubt drivers are being distracted by cellphones and other electronic equipment, but they wanted to see details of Bradley's legislation before agreeing to speedy passage.

"I think there's a lot of concern if he broadens it to GPS," said Opposition Leader Bob Runciman.

"There's also concerns about how you police something like this. What are we going to do, give additional training to police, who are already over-stretched and under-resourced?"

The New Democrats support the ban on hand-held cellphones for drivers, but said Ontario is playing catch-up with other provinces and U.S. states and should have moved earlier.

"Other jurisdictions are way ahead of Ontario," said NDP Leader Howard Hampton. "This government has tried to talk about the issue, but has done nothing about it."

The Ontario Medical Association released a paper last month indicating that speaking on a phone while driving puts drivers at "a significantly greater risk" of getting in an accident, and that using hands-free devices doesn't really lower that risk.

"The evidence is clear that driving while using a mobile phone is dangerous to the driver, their passengers and others on or near the roadway," said association president Dr. Ken Arnold.

"The OMA has found evidence that cellphone use -- regardless of whether it is hands-free or hand-held -- has a significant impact on the driver's cognitive functions, visual concentration ... and their reaction time."

The research found that talking on a cellphone while driving also slowed response times to traffic light changes and resulted in a 15 per cent increase in non-response to stoplights.

The Canada Safety Council opposes a ban on hand-held cell phones by motorists -- something it says would undoubtedly be flouted -- and instead wants police to enforce careless driving laws that are already on the books.

The council says it would like to see more public awareness and education, and strict enforcement of the existing laws.

Manitoba and Prince Edward Island are also considering bans on hand-held cellphones by drivers, but Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has spoken against the idea, saying police tell him it would be difficult to enforce.