Alberta passes distracted driving law

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

Distracted driving now the 2nd leading cause of car crash deaths in B.C.


http://globalnews.ca/news/1544129/di...deaths-in-b-c/

On average, 88 people are killed in B.C. each year due to driver distractions.

The B.C. Association of Chiefs say you are four times more likely to crash if you are on your phone while driving.

Meanwhile ICBC says that rear-end crashes are on the rise by 14 per cent since 2009 and says the main factor in those crashes is distracted driving.

No worries, Polak lives in Alberta.....

[Acey]

Good news out of Edmonton today. If you see Calgary East MLA Moe Amery around, shake his hand: today he proposed Bill 204 - $250 fine and 3 demerits for distracted driving. Lots of support so far.

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the
Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:

Amends RSA 2000, cT-6
1 The Traffic Safety Act is amended by this Act.
2 Section 158 is amended by adding the following after
subsection (4):

(5) A person who is guilty of an offence under section 115.1,
115.2, 115.3 or 115.4

(a) is liable to a fine of $250, and

(b) shall be assessed 3 demerit points in accordance with the
regulations.

http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDA...7_bill-204.pdf

If this goes through, it will have an impact. It'll take some time, and the courts will be flooded with people fighting these tickets, but it will make a change.

[Erick Estrada]

It's about time. It won't stop many people initially but the sting of $250 and 3 demerits over time should make a difference although time will tell just how much.

[Acey]

The worst offenders (those dumb enough to get caught) will literally be stopped because they'll get suspended. A girl I know got 3 in less than 6 months, which would be 9 demerits = suspended if you don't have GDL. No license for 30 days and a huge insurance hit.

As dumb as she is, I'm willing to bet she wouldn't do it again in that scenario.

[Acey]

For comparison, this is a partial list of infractions in Alberta that also carry 3 demerits:

• Driving to the left of the yellow line / Driving left of center on unmarked two-way
• Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way highway
• Failing to report a collision
• Failing to stop at an intersection controlled by a stop sign
• Failing to stop for a red light at an intersection
• Impeding passing vehicle
• Improper passing
• Stunting
• Speeding (exceeding limit by 16 to 30 km/h)

If you have 10 minutes free, Alberta Transportation has set up a survey here asking for public input on the following matters: the demerit point reduction program, the driver training system, the road testing program, medical examination reports, vehicle registration on the death of the owner, out of country drivers’ licences, driver licensing for temporary foreign workers.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BN2TLYF

[puffnstuff]

Arent they also adding a requirement for yearly testing of drivers over 75?

[Acey]

Calgary East MLA Moe Amery's Bill 204 pushing for a $250 fine and 3 demerits (up from $172 and no demerits) did well in its second reading in Edmonton this afternoon, pretty much universal support. Send him a tweet and let him know how much you support it @MoeAmery

http://globalnews.ca/news/1885863/to...a76855f7b60fea

[GP_Matt]

I only support it if there is an avenue to dispute the charges. A lot of people will lose their jobs due to demerits so if the officer made a mistake and thought a hand was a phone or something you should be allowed a court date.

[Northendzone]

^ can you not dispute the ticket now? at the end of the day it is the officers word against yours - unless they can pull phone logs

[EVERLAST]

All cops cars have cameras and I wonder if police will be required to have in disputable video evidence of an infraction.

Upon video review this driver was found guilty of .......

Does this mean I can use my go pro to submit evidence-based proof??

Then go Vigilante on driver

[Resolute 14]

When it is just the cop's word against yours, you will almost always lose anyway. Indisputable video evidence would just nail your coffin tighter.

And, apropos to this discussion, I was tailgated down Glenmore this afternoon buy a dumb girl eating ice cream out of a cup. Idiots like that deserve demerits and license suspensions.

[GoinAllTheWay]

I effin hate tailgaters. So many times I'm tempted to just stand on my brakes.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

^ can you not dispute the ticket now? at the end of the day it is the officers word against yours - unless they can pull phone logs

Yeah. An avenue exists to dispute the ticket, just like an avenue has always existed for a day in court to dispute any traffic ticket.

[Rerun]

Personally I don't think a $250 fine is much of a deterrence. I'd be happier seeing it raised to $500.

Btw, this evening I just followed a vehicle home on the highway going 100 kph and it kept weaving on to the shoulder. I pulled up beside thinking the driver was drunk.

Nope... the driver was driving with their head down/ eyes looking into their lap. I assume the person was texting away while driving.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I effin hate tailgaters. So many times I'm tempted to just stand on my brakes.

If you drove faster or stayed out of the passing lane, I wouldn't have to tail gate you to get your attention.

[jayswin]

Could you imagine if Rerun was in charge of all ticketing/punishment in Canadian law? Half the country would be castrated and the other half would be dead.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Acey

For comparison, this is a partial list of infractions in Alberta that also carry 3 demerits:

• Driving to the left of the yellow line / Driving left of center on unmarked two-way
• Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way highway
• Failing to report a collision
• Failing to stop at an intersection controlled by a stop sign
• Failing to stop for a red light at an intersection
• Impeding passing vehicle
• Improper passing
• Stunting
• Speeding (exceeding limit by 16 to 30 km/h)

Speeding and distracted driving are considered the same severity as as driving on the wrong side of the road? That's pretty ridiculous.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by SebC

Speeding and distracted driving are considered the same severity as as driving on the wrong side of the road? That's pretty ridiculous.

I disagree. If your driving dangerously, they can hit you with other stuff too to multiply the demerits. If you just happened to start passing a few feet before a passing lane started, 3 demerits is more than enough.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by SebC

Speeding and distracted driving are considered the same severity as as driving on the wrong side of the road? That's pretty ridiculous.

Seems reasonable, given that you're potentially subject to a 6 demerit careless if you're maliciously/intentionally driving on the wrong side of the road as opposed to making a wrong turn down a one way or getting confused at a junction.

[GP_Matt]

My bad, I confused about the distracted driving rules with the impaired driving rules. It is the later that doesn't allow court dates.
The current distracted driving rules are clearly not working although I think they could step up enforcement to make them effective increasing the punishment should also work.