LETHBRIDGE – It appears some Lethbridge motorists aren’t getting the message when it comes to safe driving habits.
Running stop signs, making illegal U-turns, phone calls and texting while stationary are just a few things advocates of safe driving say lead to far more dangerous habits.
Among them is Cst. Ross Bond, acting Sergeant of the LRPS Traffic Response Unit, who is very clear that drivers always need to be aware of their surroundings.
“The fact is you’re just not paying attention to the road, what’s going on around you,” said Bond. ”From experience, the person is sitting, texting, the light goes green and traffic is backed up five, six, 10 cars because this guy is still not paying attention to the road, and he’s texting, holding up traffic.”
Through August 2015, 11,640 traffic tickets have been issued. Last year at this time, the numbers showed 11,400 and in both cases, most driving infractions were speeding or distracted driving – typically involving phones. Texting is illegal while driving, but what about talking on the phone?
“If you have Bluetooth, use the Bluetooth. If you don’t have Bluetooth, put it on the console and use speaker phone,” said Bond.
But, even though it’s legal, some say that even speakerphone conversations should not be permissible. That includes Melodie Gilmar, an instructor at the Lethbridge Driving Academy.
“The individual that you’re having the conversation with is not inside the vehicle, so while you’re having a conservation, even on speaker phone or a headset, you are literally thinking about that individual, where that individual is, and having a conversation with that individual,” said Gilmar
Ideas on what safe driving looks like may differ, but the basics remain the same: go the speed limit, keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road.
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