Calgary Police Emphasize Road Safety During Distracted Driving Awareness Month
The Calgary Police Service is issuing a crucial reminder to all motorists to maintain full attention while operating vehicles, as February has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month on the Alberta Traffic Safety Calendar. This annual initiative aims to reduce collisions and save lives through increased public education and enforcement.
Beyond Cellphones: The Surprising Scope of Distracted Driving
Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Unit emphasized that distracted driving remains one of the primary contributors to fatal collisions and serious injuries on Alberta roads. While many drivers associate distraction primarily with mobile device usage, Woodward revealed that officers encounter numerous other dangerous behaviors daily.
"I think a lot of people think distracted driving is just the use of the cellphone, but there's a lot of other things that come into play here," Woodward explained. "We quite often see people drinking beverages while driving—hopefully not alcohol—and we also observe individuals doing their hair or applying makeup behind the wheel."
Extreme Examples Highlight Growing Concerns
In one particularly alarming incident from the previous week, Woodward described a driver who was caught eating cereal while operating their vehicle. "Somebody was caught eating their bowl of cereal whilst driving, and driving with their knees because they needed both hands to eat their cereal," he reported. "So there's just more than just cellphones for sure."
Woodward estimated that during a typical police shift, officers issue between 20 to 30 distracted driving tickets, demonstrating the ongoing prevalence of this dangerous behavior despite awareness campaigns.
Legal Consequences and Hidden Dangers
The most common form of distracted driving involves cellphone usage, which carries a $300 fine and three demerit points on a driver's license in Alberta. While hands-free technology is legally permitted, Woodward cautioned that it can still significantly impair driving performance.
"A lot of people kind of hold their phone away down from the windows and they're not holding it to their ear," he noted. "And many don't see that as distracted driving, but that absolutely qualifies as distraction."
Texting while driving presents another serious concern, even with voice-activated alternatives available. Woodward reminded drivers that any activity diverting attention from the road—including eating—creates unnecessary risk.
"Even if you're eating while driving, you're distracted from what you're doing," he stated. "I'm not saying you'll automatically get a ticket for it, but these behaviors do cause collisions because people aren't concentrating 100 percent on what they should be."
Collaborative Safety Initiatives
The awareness efforts throughout February will support broader safety initiatives including the Safer Mobility Plan and Vision Zero strategy, which aim to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Calgary Police are working collaboratively with provincial authorities and municipal partners to address the root causes of collisions.
"As a police agency, we have to be cognizant of what is causing our collisions," Woodward emphasized. "We're working alongside the province on this safety plan, and our Safer Mobility Program with the City of Calgary is showing positive results."
The message remains clear for all road users: maintaining undivided attention while driving isn't just a legal requirement—it's a critical component of community safety that protects drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
