Police to crack down on distracted drivers
Four months after distracted driving legislation was introduced in Alberta, Calgary police say they are noticing drivers are getting back to old habits and trying to sneak in a little discreet texting and driving.
Const. Jim Lebedeff of the traffic section said he and his counterparts, particularly when driving unmarked police cars, are seeing people trying to hide their cellphones to send texts, especially when stopped at red lights.
“A lot of people are driving staring at their kneecaps when they’re at a red light,” he said.
Though it may seem tempting to peek at a hand-held phone while waiting at a traffic light, it is illegal under the new legislation that took effect at the beginning of September and comes with a $172 fine.
With a vocal public information campaign, and ample media attention that accompanied the launch of the legislation, drivers initially responded well, said Lebedeff.
“I think we’re regressing a little bit.
“Old habits certainly die hard.”
It may be time to send more reminders, he said.
Police were already planning on focusing on distracted driving in February, so that may be a good time to crack down, he added.
In September, the first month of enforcement of the new law, police in Calgary issued 390 distracted driving tickets and 416 in October. In November, there were 290 tickets written, though there should be more once all numbers are tallied.
“I think people have gotten a little complacent. . . . I don’t know if you’d call it forgetting or not, but I think people are getting comfortable with what they know and what they’ve done in the past,” Lebedeff said.
“We’re going to have to keep reminding the public and educating the public that this is against the law.”
Outside of Calgary, one traffic officer said drivers seem to be getting the message that distracted driving is illegal, but there are people still breaking the law.
In the Strathmore area, there are a few distracted driving tickets written each week, said Strathmore Integrated Traffic unit RCMP Cpl. Tim Croft.
“I think people are getting the message. I think they are being more compliant. Obviously, not everyone is. We’re still seeing people driving with their cellphones or doing everything other than what they should be doing, which is driving, but I think the message is getting out there,” Croft said. “Like any behaviour, it’s going to take a while to change.”
I think people are getting the message RCMP CPL. TIM CROFT