HALIFAX - Nova Scotia is going to increase fines and add four demerit points for people convicted of using cellphones while driving as of Feb. 1.

Currently, fines range from just over $176 for a first offence to about $350 for a third or subsequent offence.

Under amendments proclaimed by the Liberal government, fines will increase to about $234 for a first offence to $579 for a third or subsequent offence.

There are exemptions for using a cellphone to report an emergency.

Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act for using cellphones and texting while driving were tabled in November 2010 by the previous NDP government.