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Distracted drivers can be a danger to everyone

We have all been guilty of it. Whether it was changing your clothes, applying makeup, calming down noisy children, daydreaming, or even changing a CD, we have all, at one point or another been distracted while behind the wheel.

With construction, icy roads, other vehicles, ditches, loose gravel, etc. being distracted while driving can prove to be fatal.

Ponoka RCMP along with other police around Alberta have been keeping an eye out for such drivers during the month of February. So far, there have been reports that a number of people have been caught not paying attention behind the wheel. There was one report that a driver was caught flossing his or her teeth.

Distracted driving has been a major force behind many collisions and drivers who cause these collisions can be charged under a number of federal and provincial laws.

In Alberta, section 115 of the Alberta Traffic Act prohibits drivers who are behind the wheel without paying attention. This section also does not allow people to drive with a person, animal or thing in the front seat that hinders the driver’s access of the steering wheel, brakes, and other equipment.

Albertans who are found going against this section can lose up to six demerit points.

According to the Alberta Motor Association website a study released in 2006 by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that distractions contibute to about eight out of every 10 traffic crashes, about four million crashes each year.

A study in 2001 showed that the most common distraction amongst drivers were: Things outside the car at 29.4 per cent, adjusting a CD or changing radio stations accounted for 11.4 per cent. Other people in the vehicle were a distraction for 10.9 per cent, moving objects in the car were 2.9 per cent, vehicle controls were 2.8 per cent. Eating and drinking in a vehicle made for 1.7 per cent of distracted driving, cellular phones 1.5 per cent and smoking 0.9 per cent. Other distractions that caused a driver to not pay attention was at 25.6 per cent and unknown causes was at 8.6 per cent.

There are many ‘common sense’ things a driver can do before heading on the road to make sure they will be less distracted. Eating and/or drinking beforehand and not in the vehicle can reduce the risk. Making sure you have enough time in the morning to get ready, put on makeup and do your hair lessens the risk of a collision. Not using or answering your cell phone until you are parked or arrive at your destination is also something that will help reduce the chance of crashing or going off the road.

There are many more ways to keep your attention on the road, it’s just somewhat a matter of being smart about it before you get into your car.

Taking the risk of brushing your teeth, applying your lipstick or trying to get something out of the backseat can seem like a harmless, quick distraction but even though it may only be for a second, being distracted can be fatal.

The suffering from road crashes is huge. In Canada there were 2, 730 people killed in a collision and almost 212,374 who were injured. Presently, about 80 per cent of Canadians travel by road and 65 per cent of tourists travel by personal vehicle.

With many motorists taking up road space, it’s important we all do our part to help reduce the number collisions. The momentary distractions are not worth what can potentially happen as a result of them.

Although the RCMP’s Distracted Driving month is almost at an end, please keep in mind the dangers resulting from being distracted behind the wheel and keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel. The more we can prevent collisions the better it is for everyone on and off the road.