Alberta’s distracted driving law delayed
Posted May 30, 2011 7:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province’s expected crackdown on drivers who are talking, texting and eating while behind the wheel is being pushed back.
Tammy Forbes with Alberta Transportation says more time is needed to amend the traffic act and the fine structure.
Bill 16, which contains fines of $172 for distracted drivers, was passed back in December and was expected to be implemented this summer.
Before being enforced, the province plans to roll out a major public awareness campaign and post signs, informing drivers of what they can and cannot do while driving.
Alberta’s leading injury prevention expert, Dr. Louis Francescutti, who is also the president of Canada’s Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, tells 660News he’s very disappointed to hear about the delay.
He says studies prove cracking down on distracted drivers can reduce the carnage on the roads by more than 30 per cent.
