We've been hearing a lot about Alberta's much-balleyhooed distracted driving legislation, and we now know that September 1st will be the day it is finally implemented.
The new law bans the use of hand-held cell-phones while driving, as well as other electronic devices. It also prohibits drivers from reading, writing and grooming themselves while behind the wheel. Much of this seems rather self-evident, and one has to wonder why this sort of behaviour can't be addressed under the driving without due care and attention law.
Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette says the law will help to keep Albertans safer while on the road .
Well, that remains to be seen.
Two studies released last year in the US by the Highway Loss Data Institute suggest otherwise. One study found that that states with bans on cellphone while driving saw no decrease in crashes compared to states with no ban. Another study found the same for states with bans on texting while driving - some states even saw increases in crashes.
Aside from the question of just how effective this law might be, we have the other problem of how confusing and contradictory this law is.
For example, it will still be legal to smoke while driving, but illegal to skip to the next song on your iPod. Yes, you can listen to your iPod, but only if you pre-program it before you get behind the wheel.
That's not only unenforceable, but frankly quite absurd.
Or, take this example, it will be legal to eat while driving, but illegal to look at your phone while stopped at a red light. Which activity sounds potentially more dangerous?
Even if you are stuck for several minutes while waiting for a passing train, you would still be subject to a 172 dollar fine if you're caught calling your wife to tell her you're stuck at a train.
This is all explicity laid out in the information released by the government yesterday. It seems the more "comprehensive" they try to make this bill, the more ridiculous it turns out to be.
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