Arguments Against Distracted Driving

Over the years, there has been much controversy as to how the national problem of distracted driving can be resolved. Distracted driving is quickly emerging as a major cause of death. Contrary to belief, by 2030, road traffic injuries are projected to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide surpassing HIV, aids, cancer, violence, and diabetes (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2014). However, in Canada distracted driving laws are fragmented by provincial and territorial policies and should be implemented into the Criminal Code of Canada, due to the fact that major efforts to enforce and increase penalties have not changed the troubling distracted driving rates.

Distracted driving is considered all forms of distraction or inattentive

Although, BC has the hardest driving test and learning process in all of North America, graduated licensing program drivers (GLP) are prohibited from both the use of handheld and hands-free devices (Fisher, 2016). If the GLP driver is found using one of these two devices, they will receive a penalty of a $368 fine and four penalty points which was previously increased from a $167 fine and three penalty points in June 2016. The 24 month novice period starts again from the beginning and the license is not returned until completed. Also, if the driver incurs one distracted driving infraction they could be deemed high-risk and potentially receive a probation ranging from one to six months. Experienced drivers however, are only restricted from using handheld devices. A fine of $543 is given on the first infraction and a fine of $888 on the second infraction within a span of one year. The experienced driver will be considered high-risk with two or more driving infractions within a 12 month period, as well as a three to twelve month probation, and their driving records will be reviewed (Government of British Columbia, 2016).

In Alberta, the law applies to everyone equally, except when it comes to license suspension. Using a handheld device is illegal for both GLP drivers and full license drivers. Any driver will receive a fine of $287 as well as three demerit

The penalty a driver receives depends on the type of license the driver holds. A driver holding an A to G license could face a penalty of $490 which includes a victim surcharge and a court fee, as well as three demerit points. Novice drivers who hold licenses such as a G1, G2, M1, or M2 will receive the same fines as drivers with an A to G license but have no demerit points. Instead of demerit points a novice driver could obtain a 30 day license suspension for a first time conviction, a 90 day license suspension for the second conviction, and a cancellation of the license and removal from the graduated licensing system for a third conviction (Government of Ontario, Ministry of Transportation,