Distracted driving continues

Tougher penalties for distracted driving took effect this year but more than seven months into 2016, one local police official says people are still focusing on other things besides the road ahead.

Sgt. Jim Lank, commander of the Sundre RCMP detachment, hasn't seen an improvement in driver behaviour and says that people continue to take risks by checking their mobile devices while driving.

"I think we have a long ways to go before we see a major shift in attitude toward it," Lank told the Gazette.

At the Didsbury detachment, which also serves municipalities Carstairs and Cremona, it's a similar story.

"I would say people are still driving just as distracted as they were before. As a civilian, I'm always running into people driving, texting," said Cpl. Resus Organ.

"As far as I know, a couple (charges) that were laid here, people are going to court over them. The outcomes weren't good for us, that's for certain."

In January, the penalty for distracted driving became a higher $287 fine as well as three demerit points.

For drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program, suspensions are issued after eight or more demerits. Fully licensed drivers are suspended after 15 or more.

Lank says deterring an offence depends on two factors: severity of punishment but also probability of prosecution.

New legislation covers the former but enforcement is a challenge.

"If we look at a person who's been charged with distracted driving for using a cellphone, they get charged once. How many times have they used that phone before getting caught? Probably hundreds, maybe thousands. So people take that risk," said Lank.

To lay a charge, he says police must observe the offence. Often, they will send an officer in an unmarked vehicle to do so, who will then radio others to make the traffic stop.

Distracted driving covers more than just hand-held cellphone use. The law also forbids texting and emailing at red lights, programming a GPS, reading, writing and personal grooming. Pets in the vehicle can also pose a distraction.

It's as risky or more so than impaired driving, Lank says and people of all ages do it.

The local detachment plays a role in educating drivers. In one program, police offer motorists the chance to attend an information session in exchange for withdrawing tickets.

RCMP also partner with EMS, the fire department and SADD chapter (Students Against Drinking and Driving) to participate in the mock collision exercise at Sundre High School each spring, which shows the real-life consequences of both impaired and distracted driving.

"It has a fairly high impact on students, adults, teachers that are watching. And it's followed by discussion on the risks associated with that type of driving behaviour," he said.

Now, if only people will take those lessons to heart.

"I think the general public, society, agrees that distracted driving is a problem and it's a high-risk activity. It's a high-risk offence that can lead to accidents and fatalities,” he said.