Good idea, but no department in the province has the resources to sufficiently enforce this, as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather them start doing this on Deerfoot:
With this law coming up real soon, I guess it's time for a thread bump.
Am I in the minority in thinking that smoking should be added to the list of infractions?
Or is a small smoldering fire and waves of smoke plumes all while placing it into your mouth and looking for a spot to flick your filth, not a distraction?
If drinking a coffee is on the list, how can smoking not be?
With this law coming up real soon, I guess it's time for a thread bump.
Am I in the minority in thinking that smoking should be added to the list of infractions?
Or is a small smoldering fire and waves of smoke plumes all while placing it into your mouth and looking for a spot to flick your filth, not a distraction?
If drinking a coffee is on the list, how can smoking not be?
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.
I suspect the courts will be bogged down as people who recieve tickets look to challenge them in court.
(According to what I read) Apparently US the courts were bogged down with 70 000 matters of Human Rights violations due to Prohibition back in the day and that was the main reason why it ended, so who knows what will happen with ridiculous rules like this...
(According to what I read) Apparently US the courts were bogged down with 70 000 matters of Human Rights violations due to Prohibition back in the day and that was the main reason why it ended, so who knows what will happen with ridiculous rules like this...
Exactly which one of the following prohibitions is ridiculous:
using hand-held cell phones
texting or e-mailing
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, and
personal grooming
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Hmmm, I just kept hearing "eating & drinking" during most news casts.
Looks like I was mistaken. Sorry for the minor "rant".
Quote:
What activities are not allowed while driving?
talking on a hand-held cell phone
texting/e-mailing
using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (e.g., mp3 players)
manually entering information on GPS units
reading printed material like a book or a magazine
writing, printing or sketching
personal grooming like combing your hair, applying makeup or brushing your teeth
using a 2-way radio or what is commonly referred to as a CB (Citizen’s Band) radio (some exemptions apply)
What activities are allowed? We are not talking about penalizing drivers for taking a sip of coffee, chatting with passengers or blowing their nose. We are talking about drivers who decide to put themselves and others at risk by watching movies, browsing for and downloading 'apps', applying makeup or shaving all while trying to navigate through traffic.
These activities are not specifically restricted under the law:
using a cell phone in hands-free mode - this means 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, such as 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
using 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
calling emergency services, such as 911 with a hand-held cell phone
using 2-way radios or hand-held radios, such as those commonly referred to as CB (Citizen’s Band) radios, when escorting oversized vehicles, to contact one's employer, or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations.
For the guys and gals who still need to talk on the phone while driving, but don't want to rig up a bluetooth, just buy a phone holder from Canadian Tire and use your speakerphone. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you can stick it to your windshield or dash with the suction cup.
I can't remember how to get BB to speaker, but the iphone is super easy. This holder thing is the best accessory I ever bought for my truck. I have a blank spot on my dash where, I assume, other options or switches could have gone, so I stuck one of those adhesive black discs to it and then suction cupped the phone holder thing. If I want to listen to the ipod, I have a retractable cord that goes from the headphone jack into the auxiliary jack. When the phone rings, it automatically kills the music, and all I have to do is press one button to answer and then a second one to put it on speaker. It's as easy as switching radio stations and I don't have to hold the phone.
I suppose if a cop saw me hit 'answer' he could jack me, as it's technically the same as programming a GPS, but I have faith in Calgary's finest and their use of discretion.
It's going to be a fun couple of weeks for crappy drivers. This new law plus school zone enforcement is going to result in lots of tickets being written.
excellent law in theory, but wonder how big of a difference with regards to safety it will actually make. studies show that using bluetooth is just as dangerous as using a hand-held phone. it'll look better that people aren't holding on to their phones while driving, but they'll still be just as distracted. that being said, i do think it's a step in the right direction.
Exactly which one of the following prohibitions is ridiculous:
using hand-held cell phones
texting or e-mailing
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, and
personal grooming
HA ha ha I had a few beers last night by the time I posted that...
Cash cow comes to mind as these rules will be hard to prove and easy to abuse. It will just be another way for cops to reach quotas for the month. Quotas alone are a conflict of interest against the public.
There are a lot of idiots out there but if I get pulled over for just changing the stereo channel or something rediculous like that I would consider it harassment, but I consider the "police traffic enforcement" harassment anyway.
haha stupid Alberta, I'll continue to drive and change the songs on my MP3 player while programming my GPS and catching up with the days events while reading the paper and doing the cross-word puzzle as I shave and have a chat on my CB radio as I drive to work.
If you don't like your draconian Alberta laws you're welcome to come to Nova Scotia where you just can't talk on your phone unless it's handfree or text while you drive!
__________________ "Calgary Flames is the best team in all the land" - My Brainwashed Son
Cash cow comes to mind as these rules will be hard to prove and easy to abuse. It will just be another way for cops to reach quotas for the month. Quotas alone are a conflict of interest against the public.
The primary thrust of the rules - use of cell phones - will be incredibly easy to prove. "Your honour, here is the defendant's cell usage statistics, which clearly show they were using their phone at the time they were pulled over."
But anyway, this is for you:
Even yacking on a bluetooth headset isn't exactly safe, but there is no reason why you shouldn't be using one. Or, you know, not reading the f'cking newspaper while flying down the road or putting your makeup on heading down Glenmore.
The only thing wrong with this law is the lack of demerit points. People who do these stupid things deserve to lose their license more than their money.
The primary thrust of the rules - use of cell phones - will be incredibly easy to prove. "Your honour, here is the defendant's cell usage statistics, which clearly show they were using their phone at the time they were pulled over."
But anyway, this is for you:
Even yacking on a bluetooth headset isn't exactly safe, but there is no reason why you shouldn't be using one. Or, you know, not reading the f'cking newspaper while flying down the road or putting your makeup on heading down Glenmore.
The only thing wrong with this law is the lack of demerit points. People who do these stupid things deserve to lose their license more than their money.
I haven't talked on the cell while driving in 1 year. I'm not concerned with that. It makes sense. It's the other bull that ticks me off. It's the all encompassing cash cow. Now stop being a
I disagree there. As much as people delude themselves into thinking they can do any of those things and still have enough focus left on the road to see a cop around them, the truth is, they don't. If the cops are serious about enforcement, they will have no trouble catching violators.
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