St. Paul RCMP Reminds Public of Changes to Distracted Driving Law

The St. Paul RCMP and St. Paul Municipal Officers would like to remind the public of the new Distracted Driving Law, which took effect, January 1, 2016. Below is information regarding the law and the fines associated with it.

Distracted Driving Law in Effect – NEW

Effective January 1, 2016 the penalty for distracted driving in Alberta will be a $287 fine and three demerit points. Any charges or convictions laid before January 1, 2016 will result in a $287 fine but no demerit points (regardless of whether the ticket is paid before or after January 1).

The law applies to all motor vehicles as defined by the Traffic Safety Act. It restricts drivers from:

• using hand-held cell phones
• texting or e-mailing (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)

The law applies to all roads in Alberta.

Tickets for distracted driving are issued to the driver of the vehicle and not the registered owner.

Should a driver receive too many demerit points, their driver’s licence is suspended. Drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program are suspended when they collect eight or more points. Fully licensed drivers are suspended when they collect 15 or more points.

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

*Press Release from the St. Paul RCMP Detachment