|
|
|
Distracted drivers clearly in police sights |
|
|
|
Written by Lethbridge Herald
|
|
Monday, 01 February 2010 |
Although Alberta hasn’t officially banned cellphone use by drivers, local police point out the devices are just one of many driver distractions which can cause collisions.
Activities such as talking on the phone, grooming, eating or drinking, allowing a pet to sit in your lap or dealing with children are driver distractions which increase the risk of traffic collisions, according to Lethbridge regional police.
For that reason, police are focusing on distracted drivers as part of a special enforcement campaign throughout February.
As of Monday, drivers in B.C. and Ontario caught texting or talking on cellphones while behind the wheel can be fined up to $167.
Research has shown that driver distraction is a factor in up to 30 per cent of all collisions and that distracted drivers are three times more likely than other drivers to be involved in collisions. A study of collisions involving distracted drivers found drivers were most commonly distracted by things outside the car, adjusting CD players or radios, attempting to rearrange objects in the vehicle, and interacting with other occupants.
Police remind motorists that a driver’s primary responsibility is to operate his or her vehicle safely.
Under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, driver’s who fail to pay proper attention while driving can be charged and fined up to $402 and receive six demerit points. Additional charges can be laid as well such as permitting a person, animal or thing to obstruct clear vision, an offence which carries a $172 fine.
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
