[Dion]

About freaking time is all I have to say!

He was reacting to statistics showing driver error was a factor in 90% of 158,055 Alberta crashes last year.

Alberta, in the past, has left drivers to their own devices, relying on existing careless driving laws to nab motorists.

"This legislation is going beyond cellphone use, and looking at the broader issue of distracted driving -- it's going to include cellphones, and we've looked at all entertainment devices, like reading and texting."

Though the final legislation is still being tweaked, Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette told Sun Media the law will ban distracting activities while driving.

"That would include pets on your lap, putting on makeup, shaving, using a cellphone -- all kinds of distractions," Ouellette said, two weeks ago.

Szarko said Alberta's 11-year delay in passing a law like those in Newfoundland, Quebec and Nova Scotia may actually be an advantage.

"After 11 years of watching how other jurisdictions handled this, Alberta may finally get it right," said Szarko.

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/colum...22141-sun.html