The Government of Alberta is reminding drivers to focus on the road as distracted driving continues to be a significant cause of preventable motor vehicle collisions on all Alberta roads.
According to a press release earlier this month there were 11,314 convictions for distracted driving between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
Of those, 93 per cent were for using a hand-held electronic device while driving.
"Research shows that up to 30 per cent of all motor vehicle collisions are caused by distracted drivers," stated the release.
"Looking at the phone, emailing, texting and other distracted behaviours while driving can result in tragic consequences that are totally preventable."
Alberta’s distracted driving law restricts drivers from doing any of the following, even while stopped at red lights:
- Using hand-held cell phones, including texting or emailing.
- Using electronic devices such as laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players such as MP3 players.
- Entering information on GPS units.
- Reading printed materials.
- Writing, printing or sketching.
- Personal grooming such as brushing and flossing teeth, putting on makeup, curling hair, clipping nails or shaving.
Distracted driving related penalties include a $300 fine and three demerit points for distracted driving and a fine of up to $1,200 and six demerit points for careless driving.
