Alberta Distracted Driving

Your phone buzzes while you wait at a red light. A quick look feels harmless. In Alberta, it can cost you a ticket. The distracted driving law still applies when you are stopped at a light.

This guide explains the law in plain words. You will see what is banned, what is allowed and what a ticket costs. We also explain why one ticket matters more for a teen on a learner's or GDL licence.

What Alberta's distracted driving law bans

The rules are in Alberta's Traffic Safety Act. They apply to every vehicle and every road in Alberta. While driving, you may not:

• hold, view or use a hand-held cell phone
• text or email
• use electronic devices such as laptops, video games, cameras or video screens
• program a portable music player
• type information into a GPS unit
• read printed material in the vehicle
• write, print or sketch
• groom yourself, such as putting on makeup, shaving, brushing your teeth or curling your hair

These rules apply even at a red light. You can be charged even if your driving looks fine. And if you commit another driving offence (a moving violation) while you are distracted, you could get two tickets. One is for distracted driving. The other is for the moving violation.

The law also goes beyond this list. Police can lay a charge for other activities that stop you from driving safely. Alberta gives the example of a driver distracted by a pet. You can also be charged if something on the front seat gets in the way of the controls, or if something blocks your view.

The fine and demerit points

The penalty for distracted driving in Alberta is a $390 fine and 3 demerit points.

Demerit points go on your record on your conviction date. That is not the day you got the ticket. It is the day you pay the ticket, or the day a court finds you guilty. The points stay on your driving record for 2 years from that date.

For a fully licensed driver, a cautionary notice comes in the mail at 8 points. At 15 points within 2 years, the licence is suspended for one month.

Why one ticket hits teen drivers harder

A new driver in Alberta starts with a Class 7 learner's licence. After at least one year and a road test, they can move up to a probationary Class 5 GDL licence. Both licences are suspended at 8 demerit points, not 15.

Alberta lists these steps for GDL drivers:

• At 4 points, you get a cautionary notice by mail.
• At 8 points within 2 years, your licence is suspended for one month.
• A second suspension within a year lasts 3 months.
• When a suspension ends, your licence comes back with 3 points already on your record.

Now do the math. One distracted driving ticket is 3 points. Two tickets make 6 points, and that brings a warning letter. A third ticket within 2 years makes 9 points. That is past the 8 point line, so the licence is suspended.

There is a second cost. To move from a Class 5 GDL to a full Class 5 licence, you normally drive 2 years on the GDL. Alberta says a driver training program from a licensed school may cut this by up to 6 months. You also need no suspensions or demerits during the last year. So a single distracted driving ticket can push back the day a teen gets a full licence.

A learner never drives a car alone. A Class 7 driver must have someone over 18 with a full Class 5 licence in the front passenger seat. That person makes a great co-pilot. They can read directions, answer calls and change the music, so the learner does not have to.

What the law still allows

Not everything is banned. Alberta lists these as not restricted under the law:

• a cell phone in hands-free mode, where the phone is not in your hand and works by voice or a single touch
• an earphone used in a hands-free or voice-activated way
• drinking coffee, water or pop, or eating a snack
• talking with passengers
• listening to a music player you set up before you started driving
• calling 911 on a hand-held phone
• a GPS that is fixed to the vehicle and was set before you started, or that works by voice

Allowed does not mean safe. The Alberta Driver's Guide says a phone call or text is a distraction, even on a hands-free phone. Its advice is simple. If you want to make or take a call, or send or read a text, stop in a safe and legal place first.

Habits that keep your eyes on the road

Alberta's own tips are a good place to start. These habits work for new drivers and for parents.

• Set it before you go. Start your map and music before you leave the driveway. In a rental car, find your radio stations before you head out.
• Put the phone away. Use it only when you are parked in a safe place. If it rings, let it go to voicemail or have a passenger take the call.
• Keep your hands on the wheel. Do not read or take notes while driving. Park first if you need to write something down or check a map.
• Pull over for kids and pets. If someone in the back seat needs you, find a safe spot to park first.
• Keep calls calm. Skip emotional talks with passengers. If you use hands-free, tell the caller you may need to hang up fast.

A note for parents

Your teen has watched you drive for years. If your phone stays down when you drive, your teen notices. Talk about phone rules before your teen's first drive, not after the first ticket. A simple family rule works well: the phone goes away before the car moves.

Our guide on teaching teenagers responsible driving habits has more ways to help at home. Is your teen close to driving solo? Our list of ten signs your teen is ready to drive alone helps you judge how they handle distractions.

How Arrow helps new drivers stay focused

At Arrow Driving School, our teen driving lessons in Edmonton start with the Standard Course. It has 10 hours in the car and 15 hours of theory. The theory covers the risks of distracted and impaired driving. In the car, your teen learns in a dual-control vehicle with a certified instructor beside them.

The Standard Course starts from $495 + GST in Edmonton. We offer free pick-up from your door, and lessons run 7 days a week, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Call (780) 721-8282 to book or to ask a question.