EDMONTON- Alberta law makers are keeping a close eye on a concept being proposed in British Columbia.
B.C. police say cell phone use behind the wheel continues to be a problem despite distracted driving legislation.
In a blitz in February, RCMP in B.C. issued 5,514 tickets for distracted driving. Now, police are seeking to expand their powers to include the ability to seize drivers’ cell phones.
“It is still so common to see people using their phones while driving,” said Jamie Graham, president of the B.C. Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police. “Now drivers text in their laps and they think they’re fooling people.”
Under the proposed changes, police would have the power to seize a driver’s cell phone for up to five days.
“Some people aren’t getting the message. We think that the way to get the message across is, we’ll take your phone for a few days and if you don’t get the message then, well, you’re going to have to buy another phone,” Graham added.
Distracted driving is also a problem police in Edmonton see on a daily basis.
“It certainly continues to be a problem despite the fact that we’re probably 18 months into this new law, we see it every day,” said Acting Inspector Ted Hrebien with EPS Traffic Services.
In 2012, officers in Edmonton handed out over 4,500 distracted driving tickets.
“How that breaks down I can’t give you the specifics to, whether it’s all cell phone use, but it’s a mix,” said Hrebien. “I would say cell phone is predominant, and text messaging.”
Despite the action of officers in B.C., Hrebien says seizing drivers’ cell phones may infringe upon their rights, and would prefer to see demerit points added to distracted driving tickets in Alberta.
“Taking away somebody’s phone is, I think, overextending our powers,” Hrebien said. “On a personal basis, I don’t think it’s going to curb the problem.”
Alberta’s Justice Minister Jonathan Denis says while the idea of seizing cell phones isn’t on his radar right now, it is something he will keep a close eye on.
“I’m always interested in what other provinces are doing, but that’s not determinative on what Alberta does. In any case, we’re always looking as to what actually has tangible evidence as to (what) will actually improve safety on the road- in this case, reduce the amount of distracted drivers,” Denis said.
We want to know what you think of the proposed legislation.
With files from Laurel Clark.
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