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By Shane Clausing

August STEP

Enforcement Services cracking down on distracted driving in August

Aug 6, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The City of Grande Prairie’s Peace Officers will be stepping up their enforcement on distracted driving throughout the month of August as a part of it’s Selected Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

While many drivers are aware of the distracted driving laws in the Province of Alberta, thousands of drivers still disobey them.

“Distracted driving continues to not only be an issue in Grande Prairie, but in Alberta, Canada and North America,” explained Sargent Ross Gear, with Enforcement Services in Grande Prairie. “It’s the leading cause of collisions and it’s something that certainly needs attention.”

The penalty for distracted driving across Alberta is stiff. Those caught breaking the law will receive a $300 fine and three demerit points on their driving record.

Sgt. Gear adds that while they look for the obvious when cracking down on distracted drivers, like cell phone users, some drivers might not realize they’re distracted driving.

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“Some people don’t realize that distracted driving includes when they’re stopped as well. If they’re stopped at a stopped sign, stopped at a stop light, even in a (drive thru) line up at some place, that’s still considered distracted driving.”

“We want the focus to be on what’s around you and that situational awareness. If the situational awareness changes and the vehicle moves forward, there could be a conflict of some kind.”

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) back in 2016, 33 per cent of Canadians admit they have texted while stopped at a red light, despite believing it is unacceptable.

Other methods of distracted driving include:

• Entering information on GPS units.
• Reading printed materials in the vehicle.
• Writing, printing or sketching
• Personal grooming such as brushing and flossing teeth, applying makeup, curling hair, clipping nails or shaving

Gear mentioned that at the end of the day, the officers wants everyone on the roads to be safe.

“We want drivers to be focused on what they’re doing.”