Talking on a cellphone while driving is on its way out in Alberta. So is texting, programming GPS devices and eating. The province announced Wednesday the distracted driving law that will come into effect September 1st.
“I've been in cars where my friends are holding their phone like this and texting, while driving with their knees,” said Alyssa Willberg, who had her arms straight out with both her hands holding a cellphone in front of her. “I don't feel overly safe in a car when that's happening,” she said. Willberg and her friend, Kadie Huges, are still learning to drive. They see the benefits of the new law that keeps people focused on the road.
“Some things, like eating or taking a drink while you're driving isn't that big of a deal but I do see texting and talking on the phone as distracting,” said Hughes.
Police said some extreme forms of distracted driving that they've seen include people reading books, driving with their knees while eating, and putting makeup on.
“Distraction is huge,” said Cpl. Warren Wright. “When people take their eyes off the road … sometimes their hands follow their eyes and refrain from going in a straight line.” He said there'll be a break-in period when the law is first introduced when people will likely receive warnings.
“If people need to take their eyes off the road they need to pull over and park. Especially when driving in excess of 50 kilometres you just don't have that time to react and brake.” He said there will be days, similar to safety enforcement days, when police are out specifically targeting distracted drivers, but said it will be used mostly to determine in collisions whether distracted driving was a determining factor. “It's another tool in our toolbox.”
Several international studies show that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction, and distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.
The new law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones for talking or texting, the use of other electronic devices, reading, writing and personal grooming while driving. Drivers can still use cellphones or radio communication devices, but only if they use them in a hands-free or voice-activated manner. This means the device is not held in the driver's hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device. Drivers may use a hand-held citizen's band (CB) or two-way radio when escorting oversized vehicles, to contact one's employer, or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations. A ticket will cost $172.
“I think it's a good thing,” said Gerald Platt. “I don't drive much anymore, but I'll sit here and watch people come down the road and I can see them looking down or somewhere else.” He thinks it'll help reduce the number of collisions.
“Absolutely,” agrees Ellen Tevendale. “There's too many collisions because of people talking and texting.”
