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The Gift of Safety: Avoid Impaired and Distracted Driving

The Gift of Safety: Avoid Impaired and Distracted Driving

During the holiday season, we are bombarded with to-dos and shopping lists as we try to multitask to fit everything in. Then we have party invitations coming in, one after the other, with festivities to be had. This holiday rush can put us and everyone else on the road in danger. 

Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs or medication and distracted driving can have serious implications for yourself and others on the road. In Alberta, one out of every eight drivers involved in fatal collisions was legally impaired and distracted driving is responsible for about 25% of road fatalities.

This month, and every other day of the year, we encourage you not to drive impaired or to be distracted.

 

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence is a serious issue, and it poses risks to both the driver and others on the road. Our province consistently records impaired driving rates above the national average, making it a significant concern for road safety. For example, drug-impaired driving is on the rise. Youth, in particular, are making risky choices to drive high or ride with high drivers. 

Impaired driving involves operating a motor vehicle while our abilities are diminished due to the influence of substances like alcohol or drugs. These impairments can negatively affect a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making them a danger on the road. 

Driving while under the influence can have significant consequences, not only legally but physically and emotionally.

Legal repercussions

Alberta has stringent penalties for impaired driving, and these consequences can be life-altering. Penalties include fines up to $2000, license suspension, vehicle seizures, mandatory participation in education and ignition interlock programs, and even jail time, particularly for repeat offenders. Convictions can also result in a criminal record, which can significantly impact an individual's future prospects. This is a part of an initiative implemented by the Alberta government called the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program. 

Zero-tolerance consequences for novice drivers and commercial drivers have also been introduced.

Physical consequences

Impaired driving often leads to accidents, which can result in severe physical injuries and fatalities. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired reaction times and judgment, making them less likely to avoid accidents or navigate hazardous road conditions. This not only endangers their own lives but also poses a significant threat to the lives of other road users.

Emotional impact

The emotional toll of impaired driving is profound. Survivors of accidents caused by impaired drivers may face extensive physical and emotional recovery, while the families of those who do not survive live with the painful loss of their loved ones. The emotional scars from these incidents can linger for a lifetime and resonate through communities.

 

Preventing Impaired Driving

Planning ahead is crucial. Arrange for a safe and sober way to return home if you're planning a night out. Options include a designated driver, taxi services, ridesharing platforms like Uber or Lyft, or public transportation. Alberta often offers special programs during holidays to provide safe rides.

If you have no other option for transportation, it is always best to remain sober so everyone can get home safely.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a growing concern in Alberta as our schedules get busier and there is more technology to pose as a distraction. Distracted driving occurs when a driver's attention is diverted away from the road to focus on other activities. These distractions impede safe driving, endangering everyone on the road.

Common distractions while driving can include:

Texting and Smartphone Use

One of the most common distractions drivers face is texting or using a smartphone while driving. When a text message or a phone call comes in, we may want to reach for our phone right away, but it significantly impairs our focus on the road.

Eating and Drinking

Eating and drinking while driving may seem innocent, but it diverts your attention away from the road, making you more prone to accidents.

Making Adjustments on the Dash

Changing the music, fiddling with the temperature, or adjusting your GPS settings can be more distracting than you might think. Taking your eyes off the road, even for a moment, increases your risk of an accident.

Conversations with Passengers

Engaging in conversations with passengers, especially if they are in the backseat, can also take your attention away. Ensure that you remain attentive while enjoying the company in your vehicle.

 

Consequences of Distracted Driving

The consequences of distracted driving can be quite severe, not only for the driver but for others on the road. Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of accidents. In Alberta, distracted driving contributed to a substantial number of accidents and casualties. In 2019, distracted driving was a factor in 23% of all collisions in the province.

There are also legal repercussions to distracted driving as the government and law enforcement try to deter people from becoming distracted and causing potentially serious accidents. Penalties include fines, demerit points, and, for new drivers, potential license suspensions. The penalty for distracted driving in Alberta is a $500 fine, 4 demerit points on their license and having their vehicle seized. Understanding the legal consequences is vital for anyone tempted to use their devices or engage in other distractions while driving.

 

Preventing Distracted Driving

Preventing distracted driving requires awareness, education, and personal responsibility. Here are some key strategies to stay focused on the road:

Education

Understanding the risks associated with distracted driving is the first step. Share information with your friends and family to raise awareness of the dangers and encourage them to stay focused while driving.

Technological Solutions

Consider using technology to your advantage. Many apps and tools are designed to reduce distractions while driving. These apps can block incoming messages and calls or read them aloud, allowing you to maintain your concentration on the road.

Personal Responsibility

Ultimately, the responsibility for avoiding distracted driving lies with everyone behind the wheel. Make a personal commitment to stay focused while driving. Put your phone on silent or out of reach, finish eating before you head out, and pull over if you need to address anything that takes your attention away from the road.

Some additional tips to prevent distracted driving include:

  • Plan your route ahead of time

  • Put your cell phone away

  • Advise your passengers to be quiet if a risky situation arises

  • Avoid eating and drinking while driving

  • Keep music or radio at a reasonable volume

  • Do your personal grooming at home

  • Secure objects in the vehicle, and don't reach for items while driving

Reporting Impaired or Distracted Driving

If you see a hazardous driver swerving or driving erratically:

  • Safely pull over away from traffic with your hazard lights on

  • Call 9-1-1

  • Provide as many details as you can, including the direction in which the vehicle was going, the street it was on, and the make and model of the vehicle. The licence plate number can help too

  • Do NOT call 9-1-1 if you spot someone using their phone who is not displaying dangerous driving behaviour. Instead, call your local police's non-emergency line to report it

Impaired driving, which results from operating a vehicle under the influence of substances, has serious consequences. Legal penalties, physical injuries, fatalities, and the emotional toll on victims and their families underline the gravity of this issue. Similarly, distracted driving poses risks, including accidents and legal repercussions.

To create a safer Alberta, we must all take responsibility for our actions on the road. Avoid impaired driving by understanding your limits and arranging for alternatives to get home when impaired. For distracted driving, focus on the road, avoid using your phones, finish meals before driving, and utilize available technology to minimize distractions. Encourage others to be safer drivers, as it is through everyone’s actions that we can reduce the hazards that come with impaired and distracted driving.

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December 14, 2023