Alberta passes distracted driving law

[Hugh Jahrmes]

I have been one of the worst (repeat) offenders when it comes to distracted driving, and the fact I'd never been ticketed peeved a lot of my friends.

Since my son's birth, I have made a conscious effort to remove as many voluntary risks from my lifestyle as possible, and can say I'm making serious headway with my driving habits.

Was cruising to my parents acreage for my 30th birthday on Saturday, and highway 53 west of Ponoka was shut down from a huge accident. Found out the next day that a 16 year old kid had rear ended a flat deck at full speed.. The guy was stopped on the highway with the intention of turning into a range road. He (the teen) was airlifted by STARS, but ended up passing away.. Rumor through friends in local emergency services is that they found his cell phone in mid text a short distance away. Given the conditions (no alcohol, clear day, road conditions were ideal), I doubt that's just fluff to scare people as a few coworkers suggested.
Also have a coworker who lost a brother, t-boned on a rural highway by someone texting who blew a controlled crossing.

Time to accept our responsibilities as drivers and think about not only ourselves and our families, but everyone else on the road.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 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.

Pretty much as anyone that's ever tried to fight a failure to stop at a stop sign ticket would know. I know from experience that if it comes down to your word against theirs as the primary defense you will lose every time. If you strut into court and tell the judge you didn't have a phone in your hand without a witness to confirm you are done.

[Igster]

I don't know how many times I have seen near accidents, just stupid all around driving and people weaving in and out of lanes, onto shoulders, etc. Why? Almost every single time it is someone on their cell phone. Fines need to go to $1000 a pop and 6 demerits. This is getting ridiculous. I use my cell all the time and always stay in contact that way. When I get into the car, the phone goes in my coat pocket or out of reach and I don't touch it until I am stopped and getting out of the car. Enough is enough.

[Acey]

Under a private members bill passed last spring, Albertans caught texting or engaging in any other kind of distracted driving would receive three demerit points in addition to a $287 fine [starting Jan. 1].

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...vers-1.3357968

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Acey

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...vers-1.3357968

Have they released the official wording of the changes yet/clarified how they interpret it yet? The Sun had a weird article yesterday stating that GPS usage is not allowed and anything with a screen within view would also trigger distracted driving. I'm curious to know if that info is correct.

This is the article I was reading.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/12/09...demerit-points

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

The Sun had a weird article yesterday stating that GPS usage is not allowed and anything with a screen within view would also trigger distracted driving. I'm curious to know if that info is correct.

No way that can be correct as any new vehicle with a built in screen for the stereo/climate/gps would be illegal. It's likely that you can't interact with said device while driving.

[Acey]

Official wording here states that you are restricted from "entering information on GPS units" but the following is permitted: "as long as the [GPS] 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."

My assumption, then, is that you're allowed to click a button and zoom a map in or out or what have you, as long as you're not entering an address or something such. How an officer determines that... ehh.

[Jimmy Stang]

I always understood it to be "using" or "touching" a device. But the following line in the footnotes of the article is interesting :

* Distracted driving — display screen visible to driver — 3 Demerit Points

That basically makes any mounted phone, GPS, and even most modern cars with built-in navigation systems illegal.

I just can't believe that would be true.

I'm fine with demerits in general though. The number of people I see still talking on the phone is surprising. Even if they think it is somehow better to put it on speaker phone and hold it in front of their face instead of at their ear.

[REDVAN]

Must be a catch-all to give people when they're really annoying the officers.

If you're staying in your lane and keeping up with traffic speed then you won't ever even get noticed if you're distracted driving.

[Weitz]

Is the law actually changing? Or just the penalty if caught?

[Acey]

Again, "display screen visible to driver" is only listed as such because I believe there to be a restriction on the number of characters under which infractions can be listed. It is clarified here, and no, anything affixed to the vehicle is not illegal.

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca...tedDriving.htm

Originally Posted by Weitz

Is the law actually changing? Or just the penalty if caught?

From what I can see, only the penalty. They just had to throw everything into a couple of categories for the purpose of listing them as punishable by demerits in the Traffic Safety Act.

[DoubleF]

I am assuming that only the penalty has changed. Nothing else. But, as they say, assuming makes an A out of u and me.

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

No way that can be correct as any new vehicle with a built in screen for the stereo/climate/gps would be illegal. It's likely that you can't interact with said device while driving.

That's why I was wondering for clarification. Logically, it doesn't make sense. See below.

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I always understood it to be "using" or "touching" a device. But the following line in the footnotes of the article is interesting :



That basically makes any mounted phone, GPS, and even most modern cars with built-in navigation systems illegal.

I just can't believe that would be true.

I'm fine with demerits in general though. The number of people I see still talking on the phone is surprising. Even if they think it is somehow better to put it on speaker phone and hold it in front of their face instead of at their ear.

I completely agree with you. I assume as well it's interacting with it, but that line that you quoted is the same one throwing a bit of confusion into the fray. I find it impossible that city council could come out with a law that actually makes dash screens illegal. I also question the Sun's ability to write decent and coherent articles at times...

Originally Posted by Acey

From what I can see, only the penalty. They just had to throw everything into a couple of categories for the purpose of listing them as punishable by demerits in the Traffic Safety Act.

This is what I was thinking as well, but per the above quote, the screen thing is the weird one sticking out. Again, I assume only the penalty changed. Just wondering if anyone knows if it's any different from a CPS standpoint as to how they will actually enforce this. (ie: The unofficial official 10 kmph/15% rule of thumb)

[Acey]

What they should have listed it as is "extensive manual manipulation and/or input of navigational data on a display screen visible to driver" because, as per the clarification, that's what they mean.

Where CPS/EPS draw the line on that remains to be seen.

[DoubleF]

Agreed. It's just wonky wording. Based on that link from Transportation Alberta you posted, I assume our understanding is correct in terms of screens and interaction.

permitting the display screen of 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
an alcohol ignition interlock device

I would also assume that tinkering with embedded car displays and controls (ie: Radio, temperature etc.) is allowed as long as it's not affecting your driving.

But yeah, let's hope CPS is not silly in the way they enforce this.

[Bunk]

Good. I almost got into a friggen head on collision on Kensington Road because some dolt clearly had his face buried in his phone and drifted into oncoming traffic. This is a serious safety issue that needs much, much greater attention, and much stricter enforcement.

[Resolute 14]

The "display screen" piece intends to refer to people having video screens and laptops/tablets, etc. in visible proximity to the driver.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Acey

Official wording here states that you are restricted from "entering information on GPS units" but the following is permitted: "as long as the [GPS] 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."

My assumption, then, is that you're allowed to click a button and zoom a map in or out or what have you, as long as you're not entering an address or something such. How an officer determines that... ehh.

Why you would you assume that? Pretty explicit about manually entering information which would be the case for zooming in and out.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by Acey

Official wording here states that you are restricted from "entering information on GPS units" but the following is permitted: "as long as the [GPS] 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."

My assumption, then, is that you're allowed to click a button and zoom a map in or out or what have you, as long as you're not entering an address or something such. How an officer determines that... ehh.

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Why you would you assume that? Pretty explicit about manually entering information which would be the case for zooming in and out.

I assume he would assume that because if you don't assume that it becomes a completely ridiculous and asinine law/addition to the law.

[darklord700]

I hope the distracted driving law could be tougher. Similar to excessive speeding in BC, I would go for impounding your car on the spot. In city driving, texting is worse than speeding and there's no reason to do it.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Why you would you assume that? Pretty explicit about manually entering information which would be the case for zooming in and out.

Honestly, I don't see how you could interpret it that way. If I change tracks on the digital radio display by pressing up or down, a one click action, am I manually entering information into the radio? Zooming in and out is not entering information... in terms of a GPS they're referring to the input of address or some other destination via a virtual keyboard or selection menu.