Two years after the province introduced distracted driving legislation, Edmonton police have been seeing a decrease in distracted driving incidents but it is still not enough.
“Things are a little bit better,” Edmonton Police Service spokesperson, Patrycia Thenu,said, “but unfortunately there are still many, many drivers who are putting their own lives at risk and other’s lives at risk by choosing to text while they drive.”
Many city drivers say those using their phones are trying to be less obvious but the effect is still the same.
“I think that they are hiding it more so it makes it almost worse,” Leah Virr said.
“Everywhere I drive I still see people on their cell phones pulling up at the lights or they are looking down at their lap while they are at the lights,” Paul White agreed.
Something that still leaves drivers eligible for a fine, Thenu said.
“While the vehicle is running you are still considered to be the operator of that vehicle,” she explained.
“It is not okay to text at a red light or a yellow light. The appropriate thing to do is pull over and shut your vehicle off.”
Alberta Automobile Association’s Don Szarko said that people were becoming more aware of the dangers.
“When you start raising awareness that is the first step towards changing attitudes and behaviours but I think we have a long way to go,” he explained, adding it was similar to the campaign to promote seatbelts while in a vehicle.
“It really took us about 10 to 15 years to achieve the high level of seatbelt compliance.”
However, White said it would take more than a fine to change driver’s behaviours behind the wheel.
“Sometimes it’s easy to pay the money and move on and not remember but, when you start knowing that you are chipping down some demerits and there is a chance you’ll lose your privilege of driving that could start to have some impact on people.”
With files from Amanda Anderson
