A few years ago, RCMP received a complaint of a man driving south on Hwy 2 drinking a coffee, reading a newspaper, talking on a cellphone and steering with one knee — all at the same time.
It’s circus acts like that being performed on Alberta’s highways that the provincial government is hoping to close the curtains on with the recently enacted Bill 16, which bans motorists from driving while distracted.
Distractions include eating, putting on makeup and using a hand-held cellphone.
Yes, the inevitable cellphone — with some motorists so glued to it that it’s become an appendage growing out of the sides of their heads. It’s a major distraction.
How many times have motorists in Red Deer at a stop light observed somebody ahead of them yapping on a cellphone, totally oblivious to the fact the light has turned green?
Or how many times have you witnessed motorists taking up two driving lanes in the city while attempting to make a sharp turn with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a cellphone?
It’s frustrating and can lead to fatal consequences.
But some critics wonder if the new law goes far enough.
While the intentions are good, there are some concerns that weak penalties take the sting out of deterrence.
Doug Taylor, founder of Safe Vehicle Use Ltd., says that making it illegal to text message or talk on a cellphone can in fact invite an increase in collisions.
Taylor knows the roads and the stupidity of some drivers. He has monitored countless intersections in Red Deer and at one time reported ongoing faults by drivers in a column in the Advocate.
Taylor says other jurisdictions that prohibit texting and cellphone use have actually seen an increase in crashes because errant drivers have tried to hold their phones out of view, placing them and the people around them at even greater risk — oblivious to the fact they’re doing a very bad job driving.
He takes issues with the penalties, which he considers create little deterrence. Firstly, a conviction will not result in demerit points. Combine that with the measly $172 fine and the penalties do not reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Without fear of losing their driving licence to demerit points, and with a fine akin to the tab of spending an evening out, cellphone motorists will continue on their merry way.
Sgt. Bob Bell, head of traffic for Red Deer RCMP detachment, is confident the new law will make motorists think twice about multi-tasking.
But like Taylor, Bell has says cellphone use is widespread. It’s common, he said, for police to pull motorists over in a CheckStop and finding them still talking on the cellphone or for them to pick up the phone if it rings while talking to police, as if it’s an absolutely normal activity.
In addition to the need for tougher penalties, education is paramount to drive home to these drivers that they are a serious risk on the roads.
The province proposes an educational period, said Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette.
Imposing a new driving law requires a constructive approach to clue motorists in on the reason behind the new law.
Similar education processes have led to increased use of seatbelts, and reminding drunk drivers to stay off the roads.
“Our message is clear,” said Ouellette. “Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.”
But a year from now, if the new law hasn’t had a noticeable impact on distracted driving, the province should be prepared to toughen the fine and use demerits to encourage compliance.
Traffic safety, and the lives of Albertans, depend on getting this right.
Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.