Alberta DD law now in effect

Alberta took its time installing a distracted driving law — it’s the eighth Canadian province to do so — but the new rules clearly are among the most comprehensive in North America.

The new Alberta distracted driving law went into effect next Thursday, Sept. 1. The fine is $172 (total).

(This post updated Sept. 1)

In addition to banning text messaging, emailing and the use of handheld cell phones for drivers, the law prohibits other use various other handheld electronic communications devices, grooming, non-commercial use of CB radios, GPS data entry, writing, drawing, sketching, reading of printed materials and the use of certain video screens (TVs, DVDs).

Use of cell phones with hands-free attachments is permitted, although that wasn’t a given: Last fall’s debate over Bill 16 focused on whether hands-free phone use should be allowed at all.

“This legislation is another step forward in our traffic-safety efforts and an important addition to our overall traffic safety strategy,” Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette (pictured) said a week before enforcement began. “I am confident this new law, which is practical and enforceable, will help to keep Albertans safer while on the road — and that’s something we can all support.”

Enforcement of the law springing from Alberta’s Traffic Safety (Distracted Driving) Amendment Act (of 2010) began in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend. There was no grace period.

The province calls the new law “the most comprehensive distracted driving legislation in Canada.” Ouellette says the law represents “a bold approach (that) goes beyond restricting cell phones and deals with the broader issue of distracted driving.”

In addition to the typical vehicles found on highways, the act applies to farm vehicles and bicycles.

The law gives law officers flexibility in citing offenders. Tougher penalties can be assessed under the “driving carelessly” provisions of the existing Traffic Safety Act — a $402 fine and 6 demerit points against the offender’s license.

“The law is intended to be practical, effective and enforceable,” the Transportation Department says. It uses these examples: “Having a simple snack is allowed, but eating a meal from a plate with a knife and fork is not allowed. Glancing at a map is allowed, but reading a book or newspaper is not.”

The inclusion of personal grooming is unusual in Canada and the U.S. While frequently cited (by dubious lawmakers) during distracted driving debates in North America, this is one of the few times a grooming-while-driving ban actually become law.

Traveling with pets is not specifically banned under the new law.

View:
• FAQ on Albert’s distracted diving laws
• Alberta distracted driving news and legislation
• Canadian cell phone, texting news page

Bubblehead wants you — to stop texting

The usual sights on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles include famous street signs, beautiful sunsets, colorful graffiti — and plenty of law-breaking distracted drivers: SUV owners yakking on cell phones; teens texting away while behind the wheel.

Now there’s “Bubblehead,” a giant Barbarella-like cutie holding up a cell phone whose on-screen message reads: “PLS DNT TXT & DRIVE.”

Los Angeles artist Mike McNeilly created the 13,000-square-foot billboard as part of his continuing series of public service works starring the Bubblehead character, so named because she’s wearing a space helmet — and apparently nothing else. The image brings recollections of Jane Fonda in the 1968 sci-fi sex romp “Barbarella.”

McNeilly, whose street art appears on billboards, buildings, bus-stop benches, construction site walls and the like, has said: “I like to grab someone by the jugular and say, ‘Give me three seconds. Think!’ ”

Previous targets for McNeilly’s do-gooder art include hunger, AIDS (“No Glove, No Love”) and murder.

Via his SkyTag company, McNeilly creates “supergraphics” that cover sides of tall buildings, for commercial and non-commercial promotions. The giant visuals have kept McNeilly in the news, as he tangled with city governments and homeowners groups.

Calif. gov gets bill doubling fines

The state Senate and House have approved Sen. Joe Simitian’s SB 28, a reprise of his 2010 plan to more than double fines for distracted driving violations. The 2011 bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 15.

Update of Sept. 7: The governor vetoed SB 28, saying its fines were too punitive for most people.

Under the Simitian plan, fines for using handheld cell phones or text messaging while driving would have increased to $50 (first offense) and $100.

In addition, a point is charged against the driver’s license on second and subsequent offenses. A first offense would cost violators about $310 after court costs. Repeat offenses will hit $528, plus the point.

“While the numbers show that compliance is good and that California’s hands-free law is working, we can do better and save even more lives,” said Simitian, following the bill’s passage.

The bill now applies to bicyclists. After lobbying from bicyclists groups, the penalties in the Simitian plan were set at $20 for a first offense and $50 thereafter, with no added fees — and no point on their driver’s license.

Read the SB 28 press release

Faces of Distracted Driving: Heather Hurd

Heather Hurd is the latest victim featured by the U.S. DOT in its “Faces of Distracted Drivng” video series. In 2008, the 26-year-old was on the way to her wedding planner’s office in Orlando when a trucker who was fumbling for his text messaging device slammed into nine vehicles at a red light.

Hurd and another woman were killed, and Hurd’s fiance was seriously injured. The wreck occurred on Florida’s infamous “Bloody 27″ highway. A stretch of the road was renamed in Heather Hurd’s memory.

Her parents became distracted driving activists and went on to help create Heather’s Law (2009) in their home state of Maryland. Florida’s proposed Heather’s Law has been proposed in the Legislature several times, but the state has enacted nothing.