Each year in Alberta, driver distraction is associated with more than 100 deaths and 5,000 injuries from nearly 40,0000 collisions.
Sadly, these are statistics we have numbingly accepted year after year despite countless news reports promoting the steps people can take to avoid distraction. We don’t have to accept these statistics. We have the ability to influence and drive change.
Alberta is about to join eight other provinces in banning hand-held cell phone use while driving a vehicle. But when the legislation takes effect on Sept. 1, the distracted behaviour covered by the law will be much more comprehensive.
The introduction of this law will mark a fundamental shift in Alberta’s traffic safety culture. With province-wide enforcement of the most comprehensive distracted driving law in Canada, motorists will have a strong incentive to put down their smart phones and eliminate distracting activities like texting, reading, writing and grooming, and instead concentrate on the driving task at hand.
With a $172 fine on the line, the cost of driving distracted while operating a vehicle is about to go way up.
Not that the cost isn’t already unacceptable. It’s estimated that one in five collisions results from some form of driver distraction. Studies have shown that talking on the phone increases collision risk by up to four times. Text messaging — which takes your eyes, hands and mind off the road — increases crash risk by up to 20 times.
Sometimes it’s no big deal, right? Making a quick call to a loved one, lighting a cigarette, changing the radio station and keeping your children from poking each other in the eye — every motorist is challenged by a number of small distractions each time they get behind the wheel.
But in reality, driving well is much more difficult than people realize. Most distractions last a moment and drivers handle them without incident, but when the unthinkable happens, the consequences can last a lifetime.
For the past few years, the Alberta Motor Association has been working with government officials, community leaders and stakeholders to implement changes to the current laws. AMA was pleased to be invited with other organizations to help draft our distracted driver legislation. This is an opportunity to send a strong message about the serious nature of driving while distracted.
Most of our 908,000 members overwhelmingly support this new law as a significant step forward in dealing with distracted driving. A recent survey conducted by AMA revealed that three out of four Albertans support legislation governing hand-held cellphone use by drivers, and 60 per cent favoured laws to regulate the use of hands-free devices as well.
And while hands-free cell phones are not part of our new legislation, AMA is encouraged that the Alberta approach is more comprehensive than laws in other parts of Canada and could have a greater impact in reducing crash risk. Anything that helps all of us reduce vehicle collisions is a good thing for Albertans.
Still, watching a distracted driver weave all over the road as they text messages, put on makeup and update their Facebook status can make you feel powerless at times.
Albertans can change that with our voices and our actions. AMA wants all Albertans to take a stand against distracted driving. We encourage you to visit YourPledge.ca to show your support and to make a personal commitment to keep your attention on the road by taking the “No Distracted Driving” pledge. Change starts with ourselves as individuals taking action that can influence others especially your friends and family.
In addition to the pledge, AMA is working with law enforcement partners to distribute No Distraction thumb bands at AMA centres, high schools and through every police force in the province. The thumb bands serve as a physical reminder to keep your hands on the wheel, not on your phone, computer, or book.
AMA continues to be committed to help educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, with the ultimate goal to help change driver behaviour.
Each of us has to make a conscious decision today to drive responsibly. As technology increasingly becomes an extension of how we operate and live our daily lives so does the temptation to use it everywhere we go.
The next time you’re tempted to talk on the phone, text message, play with your iPod or put on makeup while driving, consider this: would you rather give up your cellphone and other distracting habits or your life?
Let’s all work together to change attitudes and make driving while distracted socially unacceptable.
Don Szarko is director of advocacy and community services at the Alberta Motor Association.