The province will spend the summer reminding Alberta drivers that come Sept. 1 they will have to hang up their cellphones and pay attention to the road ahead.
The government’s new distracted driving law prohibits drivers from talking on cellphones, texting, reading, writing, using computers or other electronics, applying makeup, using GPS units or even fiddling with an iPod while behind the wheel.
Transport Minister Luke Ouellette argued Alberta’s law covered the widest range of behaviour in the country and would best address the problem of distractions behind the wheel.
“This new law is the most comprehensive distracted driving law in the country. No other jurisdiction in Canada addresses such a wide range of driving distractions.”
The new legislation carries a $172 fine, but no demerit points. The law does allow for hands-free cellphones, drinking beverages and eating snacks, talking with passengers, smoking and calling 911.
Ouellette said the province does not want officers to go out hunting for cellphones behind the wheel, but will have another tool when they see someone swerve or engage in other absent-minded behaviour behind the wheel.
“We don’t want them hiding behind a billboard just to catch someone talking on their cellphone.”
Ouellette said the province is going to spend the summer reminding Albertans of the new law thorough print, online and radio ads. He said the intent of the law is to keep people safe.
“This new law is the right call for Alberta so let’s keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road.”
Calgary MLA Art Johnston, who sponsored the original bill, said he hoped people would start paying more attention when driving.
“This legislation is about focusing on the task of driving when you are behind the wheel. It is about developing safer driving habits.”
Ouellette said in the future the province might look at other changes, but he is happy with the law as it stands.
He said he is aware of studies showing hands-free phones can be just as dangerous, but that was not a step the province was ready to take.
“There is no other jurisdiction in Canada that has gone that far. We didn’t believe we wanted to go that far all at one time.”
Cpl. Don Murray, head of the St. Albert RCMP traffic section, said the detachment is prepared to begin enforcement in the fall.
He said officers won’t be jumping to write the tickets, but will look for real safety issues.
“I would expect there is going to be some discretion used, especially for the first month or two when it comes into effect,” he said. “I think it is a law where common sense is going to prevail.”
Murray said cellphones are a big problem on the road and a law that will help address the problem is welcome.
“The evidence is quite clear that driving while you are talking on a cellphone is a hazard.”
