Distracted driving a growing concern

He says distracted driving is a growing concern and is the traffic safety focus for the month of February.

“The only time you can be on your phone in your vehicle is if you are parked somewhere legally is the best way to look at it. So if you’re in a drive-through and you’re still moving in a vehicle or stopped at a red light you can’t be on your phone.”

He encourages motorists to plan ahead if you’re using your phone as a GPS and punch in the directions before heading out.

“A lot of people use their phone as a GPS now so it can be mounted into the vehicle but you can only do one finger manipulation, you can’t do anything handheld. Voice-activated is fine but nothing more than that.”

Sadlemyer says distracted driving also includes personal grooming and pets on your lap.

“Distracted driving can be a number of things. You can eat but you’re not making a salad or anything like that while you’re driving down the road. If an officer were to watch you and you looked down for 5 or 6 seconds or if you dropped something on the floor of your vehicle and go to pick it up that’s distracting.”

Fines in Alberta are $287 dollars and three demerits.

In Saskatchewan according to SGI as of February 1, 2020, distracted driving fines are $580 plus four demerits for the first offence and vehicle seizures for repeat offenders.

Sadlemyer adds, “Hopefully we go to that someday in Alberta where there are big fines and vehicle seizures.”

by Chantal Wagner

Distracted driving a growing concern

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