In the 24-hour enforcement blitz on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, officers handed out 480 distracted driving violations city-wide. More than 96 per cent of these offences (463 of 480 tickets) were issued to drivers distracted by a cellular phone.
Alberta Transportation research shows that distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.
“It can take less than a second of distraction for a tremendous, life-altering incident to occur,” says Sgt. David Green with the EPS Hit and Run Unit. “It is imperative for drivers to be alert and aware at all times when operating a vehicle.”
Police also issued nine tickets to drivers using other hand-held wireless devices and an additional three tickets to drivers operating vehicles while using GPS, reading/reviewing material and engaging in personal hygiene.
Downtown Division officers were in the area of 104 Avenue and 109 Street when they witnessed a driver brushing his teeth behind the wheel, which resulted in the distracting driving ticket for engaging in personal hygiene.
“Any distraction from the road, including makeup application, shaving, flossing or brushing your teeth is just as dangerous as any other distracting activity while behind the wheel,” said Green.
The Camrose Police Service also participated in the campaign blitz, issuing ten tickets.
The Hang Up and Drive campaign has been initiated by the EPS to reduce incidents of distracted driving in the city, and through a combination of education and enforcement, reduce the number of collisions caused by distracted driving.