Question: Why is Distracted Driving such a big deal? I’m great at multitasking so how can it affect to me?

Facts to Know:

• Research indicates that driver distraction contributes to 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions.
• Distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.
• Reaching for a moving object in the vehicle increased the risk of a collision or near collision by nine times; insects in the vehicle increased the risk by a factor of six; reading, applying make up, and dialing a hand-held device tripled the odds, and listening and talking on a handheld device increased the risk by 1.3 times.
• A study of collisions involving distracted drivers found that the most common distractions were things outside the car, adjusting a CD or the radio, other occupants in the car, and moving objects in the car.
• A driver in rush hour traffic needs to keep track of 3000 items including signs, traffic lights, other vehicles, passengers, pedestrians, and road and weather conditions. Compare that with a fighter pilot who only needs to keep track of 300 items in a regular non-combat mission.
• A car going 50 km/h travels about 13.9 meters (45 feet) in one second. One second is enough to be distracted, leading to a collision.
• Music volume should not be so loud that you cannot hear the sounds your vehicle makes, emergency vehicle sirens, or the ringing bells of trains when approaching railroad crossing.
• Section 115 of the Alberta Traffic Safety Act prohibits drivers to operate vehicles without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for persons using the highway. These offenses are punishable by a $402 fine and 6 demerits.

Question: Does cell phone use while driving cause traffic crashes?

Answer: Research shows that driving while using a cell phone can pose a serious cognitive distraction and degrade driver performance. The data are insufficient to quantify crashes caused by cell phone use specifically, but NHTSA estimates that driver distraction from all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, US Govt. (NHTSA)

Question: Is it safe to use hands-free (headset, speakerphone, or other device) cell phones while driving?

Answer: The available research indicates that whether it is a hands-free or hand-held cell phone, the cognitive distraction is significant enough to degrade a driver’s performance. This can cause a driver to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash (NHTSA)

Question: What do I do when I encounter a stopped emergency or tow vehicle with its lights flashing?

Answer: If the lights on the emergency vehicle are flashing, drivers in the lane closest must slow to 60 km/h or less. Failure to slow down could result in double speed fines.

Question: Can I be charged for driving over the posted speed limit at a construction zone where signs are present but no workers are visible?

Answer: Yes. The signs will be posted when it is expected that workers will be present. It is very important that motorists obey the construction/maintenance work area signs because workers could be on site but not visible to approaching vehicles (Saferoads) Speed limits at the construction zones are normally lower than the standard highway speed. Drive according to the posted reduced speed limits.

Question: Why can a 14 year old teen legally drive a car? I feel this is just too young.

Answer: The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program is a proven way to reduce injuries among new drivers. Introduced in Alberta in 2003, GDL limits exposure to high risk situations allowing them to gain experience gradually, under less risky conditions.

Limitations for new drivers include: Must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-GDL probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and who is seated next to the driver, not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 A.M, not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts, have a zero alcohol level.

Set rules for your family and help your teen L.E.A.R.N. to drive with these safety measures:

• Limit the number of passengers
• Everyone wears a seatbelt – every time
• After dark, it's time to park
• Restrict driving in rural areas
• No alcohol or drugs – ever