With Alberta's new tougher penalties for distracted driving in effect starting this month, drivers who have gotten into the habit of paying more attention to their cellphone than the road ahead may want to consider changing their ways.
While the fine levels remain the same – starting at $287 for a first conviction – distracted driving convictions now also comes with three demerit points.
With distracted driving, and the use of handheld devices in particular being a major cause of accidents on provincial roads, the new tougher penalties are a reasonable response to a problem that is now widespread, including in rural communities.
An indication of just how bad things have become can be seen in recent conviction statistics: between September 2011, when the distracted driving law came into effect, and March 2015 there were more than 87,000 convictions for distracted driving, with 97 per cent of those for using hand-held devices while driving.
And even more troubling, of those convictions more than 27,000 came in the 12-month period ending March 31, with male drivers accounting for 75 per of those convicted.
“Given these numbers, we are following through on Albertans' wishes for stronger penalties for distracted driving,” said Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation.
Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP added: “On behalf of all police and emergency services in Alberta – don't drive while distracted. Distracted driving can be deadly, and although police will be enforcing distracted driving laws, all drivers can make Alberta's roads safer.”
Under the Traffic Safety Act, distracted driving includes the use of hand-held cellphones, texting or emailing, using electronic devices such as laptop computers, video games and cameras, reading printed material, and personal grooming such as brushing or flossing, putting on makeup or shaving.
Drivers engaged in any of the above activities can be charged, even if driving performance does not appear to be affected.
While these new penalties are unlikely to completely end the dangerous practice of distracted driving, they are a good step in the right direction.
Area firefighters, EMS personnel, RCMP and other peace officers already have their hands full dealing with crashes caused by speeders and impaired drivers on district roads and highways.
What they don't need is even more business caused by distracted drivers who put themselves and others in danger because they can't be bothered to do the right thing.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
