Did you know that Alberta has the highest distracted driving rates in Canada?
While Alberta has had a distracted driving law since Sept. 1, 2011, it continues to be an ongoing problem. Distracted driving is listed as a reason for more than 25% of fatal collisions within the province.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 90 km/h, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”
In 2023, the province saw almost 13,000 tickets handed out for distracted driving — with Edmonton seeing over 3,200 charges while Calgary had 1,500 infractions. In addition to the fine and demerit points, distracted driving in Alberta increases your insurance rates and can cost you your physical damage/collision coverage.
Find out how distracted driving can impact your insurance, and why it’s so important to stay focused behind the wheel.
The Impact of Distracted Driving Tickets
If you are charged with a distracted driving ticket, you’ll receive a $300 fine and three demerit points.
This ticket can also be paired with other violations. For example, if you fail to stop at a stop sign due to distracted driving, you may receive a ticket for distracted driving and failure to stop.
Distracted Driving and Insurance in Alberta
Insurers have started to view a distracted driving ticket as a major traffic conviction. Just one distracted driving conviction can cause your auto insurance premiums to go up by 25% or more for three years from the date of conviction.
If you have a distracted driving ticket on your record, it can:
- Increase your deductible
- Limit your coverage options
- Cancel accident forgiveness
- Remove your collision and comprehensive coverage
Why does distracted driving raise insurance rates in Alberta?
Drivers who drive distracted are eight times more likely to be in a crash or near-crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. This is why distracted driving can have such a significant impact on your insurance — simply put, you’re seen as more likely to get in an accident.
What is Considered Distracted Driving in Alberta?
The distracted driving law prohibits drivers from driving distracted whether they’re stopped or in motion. You can be charged even if your distraction isn’t affecting your driving.
What is considered to be distracted driving?
In Alberta, distracted driving is:
- Using your phone in your hands (texting, emailing, filming video, etc.)
- Using any electronic devices like laptops, cameras, video entertainment displays, music players and gaming platforms
- Entering information into GPS
- Reading printed materials
- Writing, sketching or printing
- Personal grooming (brushing your hair, flossing your teeth, putting on makeup, shaving, etc.)
- If you allow anything to interfere with your access to your vehicle’s controls or obstructs your vision
- Engaging in any activity that impairs your ability to drive safely
This applies whenever you’re driving in traffic, whether you’re in motion or stopped.
What is not considered distracted driving in Alberta?
There are a number of actions that are NOT considered a distraction:
- Using a cell phone in hands-free mode
- Drinking and eating a snack
- Smoking
- Talking with passengers in the vehicle
- Listening to a portable audio player
- Calling 911 using a hand-held phone
- Using a CB radio to communicate with an employer
- Using a GPS that is affixed to the vehicle
- Permitting the display screen of the following:
- a GPS navigation system that you cannot hold or manually enter information while driving
- a collision avoidance system
- a gauge, instrument, device or system that provides information about the vehicle’s systems or the vehicle’s location
- a dispatch system for transporting passengers
- a system that tracks where vehicles are, the status of deliveries and what drivers are doing for commercial purposes
- an alcohol ignition interlock device
While the best thing to do is never drive distracted, if you do get a distracted driving ticket and you’re worried about how it will affect your insurance, talk to your broker. We’re here to answer your questions and help when you need it.