Province to dole out demerit points for distracted driving

Demerits for distracted driving The provincial government has passed legislation that will increase the penalties for distracted driving. Alesia Fieldberg reports.

The province is upping the ante on its distracted driving legislation and will begin recording demerit points against drivers who are caught in the act starting in the New Year.

The province says it will start allocating three demerit points, on top of a $287 fine, to those who are picked up for distracted driving starting on January 1, 2016.

“From September 2011 to March of this year, there were more than 87,000 convictions for distracted driving, and despite our best efforts, distracted driving remains a real danger, with convictions increasing year over year. Given these numbers, we are following through on Albertans’ wishes for stronger penalties for distracted driving,” said Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation

Under provincial law, drivers are restricted from:

Officials say distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than those who are not distracted and that the stronger penalties should help to the reduce those numbers.

“Albertans continue to engage in dangerous habits behind the wheel. To curb this behavior and to prevent Alberta from becoming one of those jurisdictions our government has amended the regulations to add three demerit points to the fine for distracted driving,” said Mason. “Research shows that demerits are a more effective deterrent when paired with enforcement and education initiatives.”

Mason says the move will put Alberta in line with other provinces that already have demerits in place as part of a specified penalty for distracted driving.

CTV News talked to Albertans about the changes and some feel the penalty is fair while others think it’s a bit heavy handed.

“Everywhere I go I see people putting on makeup or reading and driving or talking on their phone or texting, a mere fine doesn't do it, there has to be something stronger,” said one woman.

“People need to realize that it’s dangerous, plain and simple,” said another.

“Three demerits seems pretty heavy to me, but it is what it is so it’s no different than a speeding ticket," said one Calgary driver.

“I think adding three demerits point right off the bat is a little heavy,” said one man.

Drivers who accumulate 15 demerit points or more within a two year period will have their licence suspended for a period of one month.

The law applies to urban and rural roadways in the province and penalties are issued to the driver of the vehicle, not the owner.

Distracted driving facts from the province:

For more on Alberta’s distracted driving legislation, click HERE.