This release was issued under a previous government.
Research indicates that driver distractions contribute to 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions and that distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.
“Distracted driving is dangerous at any time. Drivers need to be aware of all traffic around them, including other vehicles and vulnerable road users. Please focus on driving – and driving, alone.”
“Distracted driving is a real danger. As a driver, you play a large part in ensuring our roads are safe. The message, then, is very simple: don’t increase your chance of being involved in a collision. Instead, put the cellphone down and focus on the road.”
Distracted driving facts
- Alberta’s distracted driving law restricts drivers from:
- using hand-held cellphones
- texting or e-mailing (even when stopped at a red light)
- using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (e.g., MP3 players)
- entering information on GPS units
- reading printed materials in the vehicle
- writing, printing or sketching
- personal grooming
- The penalty for distracted driving in Alberta is $287 and three demerit points.
- Between Sept. 1, 2011, when distracted driving legislation was introduced, and March 31, 2017, there were 139,579 convictions.
- 97 per cent of these convictions were for using a hand-held electronic device while driving.
- During 2016-17, male drivers accounted for nearly two-thirds of all convictions.
- Young male drivers, age 22 to 34 years, have the highest conviction rates.