Topic: Cell Phone Ban Coming to Alberta Too

[Trainman]

Received this from a client of mine, interesting to see it goes beyond just cell phones/electronic devices and also includes grooming, reading, writing and other distractions:

Regulatory alert___________________________________
 
Alberta distracted driving legislation to restrict use of cell phones Alberta’s Bill 16, Traffic Safety (Distracted Driving) Amendment Act, 2010, passed third reading November 17, 2010.  The bill amends the Traffic Safety Act to restrict the use of hand-held cell phones and activities like texting, reading, writing, personal grooming and puts restrictions on using other electronic devices while driving.  The use of hands-free phones is permitted. Radio communication devices such as CB radios are allowed for commercial purposes and search and rescue services.  Drivers may use hand-held devices to contact emergency service.  Drivers engaged in any of the restricted activities can be charged under the new law.  A distracted driver could face additional charges if they commit other violations such as running a red light or making an improper lane change.  The legislation will come into force on proclamation, with an anticipated grace period, and could take effect by the middle of 2011.
Access Bill 16:
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_27/session_3/20100204_bill-016.pdf
Access the Traffic Safety Act:
http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-t-6/latest/rsa-2000-c-t-6.html
Access related fact sheet:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType48/Production/Bill_16_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Access related website (includes Q&A): http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm

[rrocket]

Looks like Alberta wants to get in on the gravy train  $$$$$$$$$ ALL ABOARD!! $$$$$$$$$

[aaronk]

Personally I think there are too many available distractions to warrant legislating a law against every one of them. Take away phones and they'll put something else on their dashboard, in their hands or somewhere else (yikes!) to fiddle with. We need better driver training and smarter drivers, not more laws. We need early behind-the-wheel education to reflect the seriousness of distracted driving, and potentially some creative driver education practices that hit the message home.

[tenpenny]

One thing I noticed is this:  "Radio communication devices such as CB radios are allowed for commercial purposes and search and rescue services"

If I recall correctly, it is illegal to use CB radio for commercial purposes.

[safristi]

..Breaker   breaker... fresh hookers @ Mel's STOP @ come GO................

[No H2O]

I hate to break it to you, but a law won't make a difference; it didn't in my province.

[jamie1]

Have to agree the aaronk. We don't need any more laws. There are laws in place already for this. We need better driver training. Canada's worst driver is evidence of how easy it is to get a drivers license in this country.

[Ice]

Have to agree the aaronk. We don't need any more laws. There are laws in place already for this. We need better driver training. Canada's worst driver is evidence of how easy it is to get a drivers license in this country.

That show is terrifying and I really think that some of those folks need to loose their licenses. They have no capability to be driving at all. Some people have it... others just don't. It's insane.

[safristi]

  loose licenses kill..... loosey goosey drivers do too.............i got mine inna CoCo POPS cereal box...............but i have to eat 2 boxes a day to keep it active

[duck]

I used to enjoy chatting on my personal cell, the company cell, eating a hamburger, and shaving all at the same time.     
So much for multitasking. 

[safristi]

..don't ya just hate it when the wee whisker hairs get caught in the burger ketchup...........

[duck]

..don't ya just hate it when the wee whisker hairs get caught in the burger ketchup...........

Yup!   

The law should be called "Death to Multitasking."

[Seafoam]

..don't ya just hate it when the wee whisker hairs get caught in the burger ketchup...........

Yup!   

The law should be called "Death to Multitasking."

And they should enforce it.

[Scarecrow]

They've had a ban in place in Ontario for some time now.

From what I observe, it's making absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in people's behaviour.

[Seafoam]

They've had a ban in place in Ontario for some time now.

From what I observe, it's making absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in people's behaviour.

Same here in Nova Scotia.

[tpl]

Which shows the pointlessness of passing laws that the public just don't see the point of.

MOST people have been making/receiving  cell phone calls in their cars on handheld phones cars for some years without crashing or causing other to crash and can see no reason why they should be forced to stop doing so or to add stuff to their cars or wear dorky earphones to continue.

The correct thing would have been, probably, for Transport Canada to have ruled that all cars should have Bluetooth since about 2001 or so ( when Bluetooth became reliable).

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Which shows the pointlessness of passing laws that the public just don't see the point of.

MOST people have been making/receiving  cell phone calls in their cars on handheld phones cars for some years without crashing or causing other to crash and can see no reason why they should be forced to stop doing so or to add stuff to their cars or wear dorky earphones to continue.

The correct thing would have been, probably, for Transport Canada to have ruled that all cars should have Bluetooth since about 2001 or so ( when Bluetooth became reliable).

All cars should come equipped with Faraday cages, problem solved.

[safristi]

..I prefer to let my Faraday run free.............................