After years of tireless campaigning by the families of victims and their supporters, the message that impaired driving is wrong and unacceptable has been spread far and wide across this country.
As a result of those efforts, at least in part, the number of fatalities and injuries caused by drunk drivers has been in gradual decline in recent years.
And while there are still far too many people driving impaired on the province's roads, and in particular in rural communities, the overall downward trend is both encouraging and long overdue.
Unfortunately the decline in drunk driving appears to have been more than matched by a steep increase in distracted driving by motorists of all ages.
According to statistics recently released by Alberta Transportation, there were more than 27,000 distracted driving convictions in 2016 - representing a more than 300 per cent increase from 2012.
And what makes those numbers even more shocking is the fact that distracted driving penalties have recently increased markedly in Alberta, including the addition of demerits for convictions.
Under Alberta law, distracted driving can include texting and using hand-held cellphones.
Twenty to 30 per cent of collisions in Alberta can now be directly linked to distracted driving, with distracted drivers three times more likely to be involved in a collision than non-distracted drivers, according to Minister of Transportation Brian Mason.
"We all play a role in reducing the number of deaths and injuries on our roads," said Mason. "By keeping our attention on the road, we can help ensure everyone returns home safely, each and every day.
"Please wait until you've pulled off the road and respond to a text only when it is safe."
Inspector Steve Daley, acting OIC traffic services, Alberta RCMP, K Division added, "Distracted driving has a devastating effect on families. We are asking everyone to do their part and put the phone away while driving to ensure road safety."
Hopefully, for everyone's sake, the message that distracted driving puts everyone at risk will start resonating with more drivers in 2017.
Dan Singleton is the Mountain View County editor.
