Distracted Driving Law in Effect

Alberta’s Distracted Driving law came into force on September 1, 2011. The law applies to cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, truck tractors, farm vehicles, and bicycles. It restricts drivers from:

using hand-held cell phones
texting or emailing (even when stopped at red lights)
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 (brushing and flossing teeth, putting on makeup, curling hair, clipping nails or shaving)
applies to all roads in both urban and rural areas of the province
the fine for this offense is $287
Tickets for this offense are issued to the driver of the vehicle and not the registered owner. Distracted driving convictions do not appear on driver’s abstracts that are publicly available through registry agent offices. Also, for carriers authorized to operate commercial vehicles, these convictions do not appear on the carrier profile.

Drivers engaged in any of the identified activities can be charged, even if their driving performance doesn’t appear to be affected. If a driver commits a moving violation while distracted, they would receive two tickets – one for distracted driving and one for the moving violation.

Under the Traffic Safety Act, an emergency vehicle includes police service vehicles, fire response units, ambulances and gas disconnection units. Drivers of emergency vehicles are able to use hand-held communication devices or other electronic devices only when acting within the scope of their employment.

Activities that are not specifically restricted under the law are:

using a cell phone in hands-free mode – the device is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device
using an earphone – if it is used in a hands-free or voice-activated manner
drinking beverages – coffee, water or pop
eating a snack
smoking
talking with passengers
listening to a portable audio player – as long as it is set up before you begin driving
calling emergency services such as 9-1-1 with a hand-held cell phone
using two-way radios or hand-held radios (also known as CB radios) when a driver is required to remain in contact with one’s employer, such as when escorting oversized vehicles or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations
permitting the display screen of the following:
a GPS navigation system – as long as the system is affixed to the vehicle and programmed before you begin driving or the system is voice activated. You cannot hold the unit or manually enter information while driving
a collision avoidance system
a gauge, instrument, device or system that provides information about the vehicle’s systems or the vehicle’s location
a dispatch system for transporting passengers
a logistical transportation tracking system that tracks vehicle location, driver status or the delivery of goods for commercial purposes
an alcohol ignition interlock device
The most frequently asked question regarding the new law is whether pets are specifically addressed by the law. Here’s the answer! In situations where the driver becomes too involved with their pet, police could reasonably argue that the distraction is comparable to the specifically banned activities of reading, writing, and grooming and lay a charge.

Also, existing legislation – Traffic Safety Act 115(2)(i) – allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to occupy the front seat of the vehicle such that it interferes with the driver’s access to the vehicle controls and the safe operation of the vehicle. Further, Traffic Safety Act 115(2)(j) – allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to cause any obstruction to the driver’s clear vision in any direction. We encourage the continued use of these existing provisions.

If a driver violates a new distracted driving provision and an existing provision in the Traffic Safety Act it would be up to the discretion of the officer as to if one or both charges would apply.

For the safety of both pets and road users, it is best if pets are secured in an appropriate pet carrier.

Source – http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/DistractedDriving.htm

We at One 2 One Driving School Nominated BEST DRIVING SCHOOL CALGARY by Consumer choice award, stress upon understanding the importance of being focused on the difficult task of driving.

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Crescent NE - Calgary, AB
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Phone: 403 903 2187