No more distractions behind the wheel in Alberta

Posted At : June 22, 2011 10:29 AM | Posted By : Transportation
Related Categories: Transportation
Distractions behind the wheel are soon to be curbed as the most comprehensive legislation in
Canada makes its way to our streets.
Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette, along with our traffic safety partners, announced today
that Alberta's new distracted driving law will come into effect on September 1.
"This legislation is another step forward in our traffic safety efforts and an important addition to
our overall traffic safety strategy," Ouellette said.
"I am also confident this new law, which is practical and enforceable, will help to keep Albertans
safer while on the road and that's something we can all support. We all have a role to play in traffic
safety and I encourage Albertans to start practicing safer driving habits today."
The main objective of the new law is to improve road safety. We can no longer text, e-mail, read
or write while driving, and it doesn't stop there. There are many things that we do while driving
that take our hands off the wheel and our attention off the road. International research shows that
20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction and that goes way beyond just cell
phone use.
Distracted driving is an issue all across North America and around the world. Many factors
contribute to this situation: tremendous technological advances, a perceived need to be connected
to work and home at all times, a perception that driving is an unproductive, second nature task and
trying to accomplish more in less time. This is about much more than statistics, it is about people.
It is up to us to make the necessary changes. After all, we all want to get home safely.
To get the word out, information in newspapers, on radio and online will assist Albertans with the
details of the new law and how to stay safe behind the wheel. All Albertans play a part in making
our roads safer and we encourage everyone to follow the rules of the road.
Please visit transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm to learn more about the new law.
-Martin Dupuis
Alberta Transportation