REGINA — Saskatchewan drivers may soon have to let go of their hand-held cellphones and put both hands back on the steering wheel.

Premier Brad Wall said Tuesday that the province will introduce legislation this fall that would ban the use of hand-held electronic devices to text or talk while operating a vehicle.

"The information that's coming in is irrefutable. We know that if you're texting, from a study out of Virginia, you're 23 times more likely to be in an accident," said Wall.

"It's a serious issue."

Wall recounted a story about a government summer student who hit another car. No one was hurt but the student admitted it was because he was texting, said the premier.

"That's pretty compelling," said Wall.

"Never mind the statistics, there's lots of actual events and unfortunate incidents, accidents ... that speak to the need for this kind of law."

Saskatchewan officials are looking at different options and what other provinces have done with similar legislation.

Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Nova Scotia already have such bans in place targeting cellphone use while driving.

Ontario's ban takes effect in October and also prohibits drivers from using portable video games and DVD players. Global positioning systems are allowed, as long as they're properly secured to the dashboard. Ontario drivers could be fined up to $500 if they're caught breaking the law.

Raynald Marchand of the Canada Safety Council said the Ontario legislation, which goes beyond just cellphones to cover all hand-held electronic devices, is a step in the right direction.

"Should we go beyond to ban also hands-free devices? That's an interesting question because there's so many people out there that use it responsibly. There's certainly a continued risk. There's certainly an enforcement community issue, how do you enforce a hands-free device? From an enforcement point of view it might be very difficult," said Marchand.

"Definitely there is a risk, but I don't think ... that we're ready for a ban on hands-free devices as well."

But Marchand does point out that "hands-free is not risk free." The best thing drivers can do is pull over to a safe area before using any electronic device whether they're hands free or hand held, he said.

Wall admits he's used a hand-held cellphone while driving in the past, but now uses a headset.

Saskatchewan will not go so far as to ban hands-free devices while driving, he said.

"I think there's still a role for safe cell usage on the road and I think other provinces and jurisdictions have recognized that as well," said the premier.