Tougher penalties for driving distracted will now cost motorists more than just a $287 fine.
The Province of Alberta announced Dec. 10 drivers convicted of distracted driving beginning Jan. 1, 2016, will also receive three demerit points.
In making the announcement, Minister of Transportation Brian Mason said, “Keeping drivers and pedestrians safe on Alberta’s roads and highways is top priority for our government.
“Between September 2011 when distracted driving legislation was put in place and March 2015 there have been 87,633 distracted driving convictions and it’s only getting worse. Ninety-seven per cent of those convicted were using a handheld device while driving.”
In Airdrie, the number of tickets written by the Airdrie RCMP traffic unit and Alberta Sheriffs for distracted driving between Jan. 1 and Dec. 14 was 148, according to Airdrie RCMP Constable Francine Hennelly.
Mason said 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions are due to distracted driving.
“As a province we need more tools to help drivers to pay attention while behind the wheel,” he said. “People will continue to drive distracted on our roads and highways. This is unacceptable and puts everyone on the road at risk.”
The demerit points are intended to impact repeat offenders, according to Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP. RCMP and other enforcement partners across the province had lobbied the government to make the change.
“Unless it impacts someone’s livelihood – which it could through the demerits and loss of license – it won’t have the same impact,” she said. “All police unanimously are very pleased with the implementation of the demerits. We feel it is what we need to help get the message out.
“Will this help stop distracting driving? No – unfortunately – but it’s a big step for us and I think it will make Alberta roads safer.”
The addition of demerit points brings Alberta into line with other provinces that already include demerit points in their penalties for distracted driving, including Ontario and British Columbia.
