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Tough Alberta distracted driving law Sep 1

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AlbertaDistractedDriving

After being one of the last holdouts, the Province of Alberta’s Distracted Driving Legislation, Bill 16 goes into effect September 1st, 2011.  And like many other provincial jurisdictions have done, the law limits what you can do behind the wheel. But the new law goes way beyond that, making it one of the toughest laws Alberta’s drivers will be facing.

The law, Alberta’s Bill C16, covers off the usual suspects; the elimination of talking, texting, emailing or surfing on a hand-held cellphone or smartphone while behind the wheel.  It also forbids the use of other electronics such as laptops, videogames, iPods and the like.

No More Reading, Writing or Shaving

But the new law goes beyond gadgets taking it one step further. Starting September 1, drivers will also no longer be permitted to read printed materials or write or sketch while driving. Also gone is personal grooming – brushing your teeth, shaving, applying makeup and combing your hair, something that should be done in the privacy of your own home, anyway.

Activities Allowed

Now it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if all you have in your car is your trusty old cassette deck. You can listen to an iPod or MP3 player providing it is set up before you begin driving. You just can’t subsequently hold it in your hand.  The same goes for a portable GPS unit; you can use it in the car but you’re not allowed to touch it, or any other gadget for that matter, while driving. That includes when you’re stopped at a red light or even your device is powered off.

And if you think you can pull over onto the shoulder of the highway to make or take that call, think again. You’re breaking another law. The highway act prohibits using the shoulder except in the case of an emergency.

As for non-gadget activities, you can still certainly blow your nose, take a sip of your Timmie’s double-double and wolf down a breakfast burrito. (Although preferably, not all at once)

Interestingly enough, you can still smoke in the car, if you do that sort of thing and if I’m reading into this correctly there are some exceptions or interpretations with respect to the new law, especially in some commercial and emergency situations.

You are allowed to use a dispatch system for transporting passengers – that sounds like your Taxi’s walkie-talkie. You can use a handheld cell phone for calling emergency services like 911. You can also use a CB radio or two-way radio for example when escorting oversize vehicles or to contact one’s employer in certain circumstances or when participating in search and rescue operations.

Big Bucks, No Demerits

If you violate Bill C16, it’ll set you back $172.00, which is a fine of $150 +15% victims’ surcharge.

The ticket will go to the actual driver of the vehicle. The good news is, if you call it good, is that at this point the infraction won’t show up on your driver’s record – although apparently, that could change in the future. As well, it will not cost you any demerit points.

And if by chance you happen to be caught doing these dastardly deeds while also committing a moving infraction, such as running a stop sign or a red light, you will in fact get two tickets.

Simply using a Bluetooth earpiece may not be adequate for your needs. You can certainly answer the phone and hang up, but you can’t handle the phone to dial out.

supertooth

Now there are a number of gadgets that you can use for hands-free driving, like the Yada Rearview Mirror Backup Camera and Speakerphone, we looked at back in June, or something like the SuperTooth Bluetooth Hands-Free Assistant, which allows you to answer the phone and check voicemail. Also, don’t forget to check your car’s glove box for a user manual, you may have a hands-free option already in your car and not even know it.

Greg Gazin is the Real Canadian Gadget Guy.

Follow me on Twitter @gadgetgreg.


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