New distracted driving legislation will take effect next month and prevent people from doing things like talking on a cellphone and putting on makeup while driving.
Until now, drivers could do these things as long as their vehicle stayed in its lane, explained Bonnyville RCMP detachment commander Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi.
“If they could pull it off, then it was considered essentially OK,” he said. Once the legislation takes effect Sept. 1, “they can be driving perfectly, but if they're doing it, it's still an offence.”
The new law restricts drivers from using hand-held cellphones, texting or emailing, using electronic devices and programming audio players or GPS units, reading or writing, or grooming. The fine is $172.
Until now, police had to prove these activities actually affected a person's driving, said Gandolfi. But the new law only requires police to prove they were doing it.
“I think the government is now buying into the fact that if you're doing these things, it just automatically affects your ability to concentrate.”
Gandolfi said his officers often witness distracted drivers.
“We see it when we're working, we see it when we're not working – people with dogs on their laps, people who are eating, people doing makeup,” he said. “I think it's pretty obvious that if you're driving, you're going to see people doing these things.”
While he said his officers typically give a grace period when new legislation takes effect before issuing tickets, he believes the information about the new law has been out in the public for nearly a year, and people should be aware of it.
“I think the majority have hopefully gotten the message that it's something that they have to adjust to and adjust to quickly.”
Gandolfi noted how he has read about the increased sales of hands-free devices and how people have had enough time to adjust to the new law.
“A lot of people will find this legislation to be inconvenient and it very well could be,” he said, but explained how police investigate and hear about hundreds of cases where distracted drivers kill people and sometimes children riding bikes.
“It's about changing behaviour,” said Alberta Transportation spokesperson Martin Dupuis, explaining it will be harder for some than others to get used to the new legislation.
Dupuis said the ministry has been telling people to start practicing following the law now, even though it doesn't take effect until next month.
Legislation restricting hand-held cellphone use exists in most other provinces, while some also restrict the use of electronic devices. Alberta will be the only province with legislation that covers all distractions. Nunavut and the Northwest Territories don't have any such legislation.
“It's been a long time coming,” said Gandolfi, “and we support it fully.”
