Alberta RCMP Press Release:
The Alberta RCMP is reminding drivers that it’s essential to remain distraction free.
Operating a vehicle requires a motorist’s complete attention to be aware of other vehicles and pedestrians and reduce the risk of collision.
In 2025, the Alberta RCMP issued a total of 3,337 tickets for distracted driving. Help stay distraction free on the roads with following tips:
If it impairs your driving, it’s a distraction.
Distracted driving is not limited to texting or talking on a handheld device while operating a vehicle.
It also includes personal grooming, reading, writing, adjusting GPS or audio devices, attending to passengers or pets and any other activity that might impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Plan ahead. Before putting your vehicle into drive, prepare by pre-setting your hands-free device, GPS, radio or music.
Pull over and put it in park. If you need to text, make a call or engage in any distracting activity, pull over where it’s safe and park your vehicle.
Simply stopping at a red light and engaging in a distracted activity is not safe and is still distracted driving.
Distracted driving isn’t worth it. The penalty for distracted driving in Alberta is a $300 fine and three demerit points. The bigger price you pay is risking your own safety and the safety of others.
“Distracted driving is a common bad habit among drivers,” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic.
“It may not seem like a big deal to check a text or change a song, but it only takes a second where your attention is diverted for a collision to take place. Distractions behind the wheel are never worth putting yourself, or other motorists, at risk.”
For more traffic safety information, please follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta, X @RCMPAlberta, and on YouTube @RCMP-GRC Alberta.
