Achi news desk-
Alberta leads the country in deaths from distracted driving, accounting for more than 25 percent of fatal collisions in the province.
The report, published by HelloSafe after compiling the latest statistics from Transport Canada, the government of Alberta, Statistics Canada and the Canadian Automobile Association, says 76 Albertans died as a result of distracted driving in 2021, 30 more than in 2020.
The company, which compares financial products such as insurance and credit investments, says distracted driving is also a deadly problem in Canada, accounting for 19.7 per cent of traffic-related deaths.
“In Canada, distracted driving is the second leading cause of traffic deaths after speeding,” HelloSafe said in its report.
Despite Alberta leading the statistics, HelloSafe said the penalty for distracted driving is the lowest of all Canadian provinces.
In Alberta, if you are caught driving while distracted, you would be fined $287 and given three demerit points.
The harshest penalties are in Ontario, where a first conviction results in a fine of between $615 and $1,000, three convictions and a three-day license suspension.
A second conviction results in a fine of $615 to $2,000, six demerits and a seven-day suspension, while a third and all subsequent convictions would be a fine of $615 to $3,000, six demerits and a 30-day license suspension.
Distracted driving is much more than just texting, emailing or using your phone, the company says.
If you’re programming a GPS, eating or drinking, reading, grooming or watching videos while behind the wheel, you could also be pulled over.
HelloSafe says 13,898 fines were issued in Alberta in 2022, amounting to $3,988,726.
CTV News has reached out to the Alberta government for comment on the report.
