Effective Jan. 1, 2016, distracted driving will now include three demerits, on top of the $287 fine.
In the past three and a half years, there have been more than 87,000 distracted-driving convictions, according to Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason.
“Despite our best efforts, distracted driving remains a real danger, with convictions increasing year over year. Given these numbers, we are following through on Albertans’ wishes for stronger penalties for distracted driving,” Mason said in a press release.
Distracted driving legislation was introduced Sept. 2011, with more than 95 per cent of convictions stemming from use of hand-held electronics. Young male drivers, aged 22 to 34, had the highest conviction rates.
According to a Government of Alberta press release, in a driver-attitude survey conducted in August 2014, 81 per cent of Alberta drivers believed distracted driving is the leading cause of collisions. Yet 53 per cent of Alberta drivers admitted to texting while driving in the previous three months.
“On behalf of all police and emergency services in Alberta – don’t drive while distracted. Distracted driving can be deadly, and although police will be enforcing distracted-driving law, all drivers can make Alberta’s roads safer,” said Marianne Ryan, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP in a press release.
Any driver charged with distracted driving before Jan. 1, 2016 will not be assigned demerit points even if the $287 fine is paid in the New Year.
Drive safe Cochrane.
