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Friday, May 23, 2025

New distracted driving law comes into effect on September 1 in Alberta

The most comprehensive distracted driving legislation in Canada will soon be implemented in our province. Albertaโ€™s new distracted driving law will come into effect on September 1.

โ€œThis legislation is another step forward in our traffic safety efforts and an important addition to our overall traffic safety strategy,โ€ said Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette. โ€œI am confident this new law, which is practical and enforceable, will help to keep Albertans safer while on the road and thatโ€™s something we can all support. We all have a role to play in traffic safety and I encourage Albertans to start practising safer driving habits today.โ€

To help Albertans prepare for the new law, the government will run a public education and awareness campaign that will provide information about the distracted driving law and how to comply with it. Advertising will run in newspapers, radio and online.

โ€œDuring my 25-year career with the Calgary Police Service, I saw countless collisions and the often devastating consequences,โ€ said Art Johnston, MLA, Calgary-Hays and sponsor of the bill. โ€œI have been advocating for this legislation and am pleased to see Albertaโ€™s new distracted driving law come into effect. I would like to thank law enforcement and our traffic safety partners for their support.โ€

The new law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones for talking or texting, the use of other electronic devices, reading, writing and personal grooming while driving. &nbspDrivers can still use cellphones or radio communication devices, but only if they use them in a hands-free or voice-activated manner. This means the device is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device. Drivers may use a hand-held citizenโ€™s band (CB) or two-way radio when escorting oversized vehicles, to contact one’s employer, or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations.

โ€œThis legislation gives law enforcement agencies in Alberta an additional tool to help make our roads safer,โ€ said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. โ€œWe are sending an extremely strong traffic safety message to motorists across the province: When youโ€™re in your vehicle, your focus must be on driving.โ€

Several international studies show that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction, and distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.

โ€œThis legislation is an example of Albertaโ€™s firm commitment to driver safety,โ€ says Verlyn Olson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. โ€œThis legislation will raise awareness about the importance of distraction free driving, making roadways safer for all Albertans.โ€

Frequently asked questions and answers about the new law, a poster, fact sheet and more are available on the Alberta Transportation website: www.transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm