Since September 1, 2011, Alberta has established a distracted driving law. In 2018, the government issued over 23000 tickets for inattentive driving, with over 5000 penalties in Edmonton and 4500 in Calgary. Distracted driving in Alberta raises your insurance rates in addition to the fines and penalty points. It may also make getting full coverage more difficult.
Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of distracted driving, as well as the implications for Alberta insurance.
Does distracted driving affect insurance?
Distracted driving is punishable in Alberta by a $300 fine and three demerit points on your license. You may also find it difficult to obtain complete vehicle coverage at a fair price after receiving a distracted driving conviction your insurance could increase by as much as 25% as a result of a distracted driving ticket.
Do you get demerits for distracted driving in Alberta?
In Alberta, distracted driving is punishable by a $300 fine and three demerit points.
- Using a cell phone in hands-free mode the phone is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by speech or a single touch to the device.
- Listening to music on a portable audio player – as long as it’s set up before you get behind the wheel.
- When a driver is obliged to stay in communication with his or her employer, such as when escorting huge vehicles or participating in search, rescue, and emergency management scenarios, two-way radios or hand-held radios (commonly known as CB radios) are used.
- a GPS navigation system as long as it is installed and programmed before you start driving, or if the system is voice triggered. While driving, you are unable to hold the unit or manually enter data.
- a gauge, instrument, device, or system that displays information on the vehicle’s systems or location.
- a commercial logistics transportation tracking system that keeps track of vehicle location, driver status, and delivery of products
Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and gas disconnection units are all considered emergency vehicles under the Traffic Safety Act. Drivers of emergency vehicles are only permitted to use hand-held communication devices or other technological equipment when performing their duties.
How long does distracted driving stay on your record Alberta?
If you are convicted of driving while distracted in Alberta, you will receive three penalty points on your license. They’ll be on your record for two years after you’ve been convicted.
Will cell phone ticket affect my insurance?
- Depending on your insurer and state restrictions, you may see an increase in your insurance rates as a result of a texting ticket.
- After a texting ticket, the average rate rise is 23 percent, but it can be as high as 45 percent or as low as 12 percent.
- Apart from a fine and an increase in insurance, a texting ticket can result in points being added to your driving record in some jurisdictions.
- Insurance companies have varying approaches to texting tickets; some may disqualify you from a good driver discount, while others may raise your insurance costs.
What tickets affect insurance Alberta?
A normal traffic violation (for traveling 1-49 km/h over the speed limit) and a serious traffic violation (for driving 50 km/h or more over the limit or for speeding in a playground/school zone) are the two types of speeding citations that can be issued in Alberta.
The severity of each offense varies, as do the consequences when it comes time to renew your auto insurance.
Your auto insurance premiums will almost certainly increase the next time you renew your coverage. Serious traffic offences have a much greater impact on your insurance than minor traffic violations. Infraction frequency can also have an impact on premium hikes. The more fines you get, the more insurance rates you’ll have to pay.
Is distracted driving a criminal offense?
If a driver is convicted of distracted driving in Ontario, the penalty will be determined by the type of license the driver has, as well as whether it is a first, second, or third offense, as well as any subsequent convictions.
A fully licensed driver (Classes A through G and/or M) will enjoy the following benefits:
- If you reach an out-of-court settlement, you will be fined $615. (includes a victim surcharge and court fee)
A beginner driver (with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 license) will face the same penalty as drivers with A through G licenses, with the exception that no demerit points will be assessed. You will instead receive the following:
- For a third offense, your license will be revoked and you will be removed from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) (to get licence back, the GLS program must be re-done)
It’s worth noting that a driver who puts others in risk while driving while distracted could face charges of careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act or hazardous driving under the Criminal Code.
How much is a red light ticket in Alberta 2020?
“If individuals are worried about higher fines, my advice is to just not breach the law.”
Aside from any deterrence impact, the increased fees will boost the province’s bottom line: revenue from fines is expected to rise $55.3 million to $158.3 million this year, up from $158.3 million last year albeit a portion of that cash will be refunded to municipalities.
Fines for speeding will range from $78 to $474 under the new penalty regime, up from the current range of $57 to $351. Running a red light will pay $388, up from $172 now; failing to yield to pedestrians will cost $233, up from $172 now.
Breaking the law will become more costly, as will utilizing it: the government is imposing 14 new fees on civil and family court litigants, as well as raising numerous existing charges for court users.
How do I get a ticket reduced in Alberta?
Visit https://traffictickets.alberta.ca/ for more information. You can perform the following things with this portal: You can pay for your ticket online. On voluntary payment tickets, enter a guilty plea and ask for more time to pay. Request that the Crown make you a resolution offer.
Can you drink water while driving?
Taking a gulp of water or coffee while driving is not unlawful, but if you’re accused of being distracted, you could face the same careless driving punishment.
It can be riskier in some scenarios to not have a drink with you in the automobile. Driving while dehydrated is exactly as risky as driving while inebriated, according to researchers at Loughborough University.
Dehydration can produce fatigue and reduced reaction times, as well as a loss of attention.
Keep dehydration at bay by keeping a bottle of water in your car if you’re going on a long journey, especially in hot weather.
Do demerits affect insurance Alberta?
In Alberta, the number of demerit points you have has no bearing on your insurance rate, but the frequency and severity of penalties you receive does. Your insurance rate will be raised the greatest if you have tickets that make you appear to be a high-risk driver.