It’s been two years since Alberta implemented a distracted driving law but it seems some motorists aren’t getting the message.
Local officers have handed out close to 1,400 tickets this year alone.
Chief Tom McKenzie says he supports the province’s plan to look into tougher penalties for those choosing to break the law.
“We’ve seen horrific accidents in southern Alberta. Pedestrians, motor vehicles, and lives lost caused by distracted driving. One young life lost is too many,” he adds.
The current fine for driving distracted in Alberta is $172.
According to McKenzie, tougher penalties could include larger fines or demerit points.
“Monetary fines don’t seem to interfere with us. Photo radar is effective in high traffic areas but there’s no demerits to it so people seem to ignore that ticket. When you get stopped by the police and issued demerits like in speeding then sometimes that behavior changes,” he adds.
Alberta’s Transportation Minister announced late October that the province would be looking into tougher penalties for distracted drivers.
According to the Alberta Motor Association, roughly 30 per cent of all collisions are due to some form of driver distraction.
Comments