A teenager texting his parents to let them know he is just about home, a harried professional handling his phone while attempting to turn on a Bluetooth device, a traveler talking on a cell phone to break up the long drive on a lonely highway – these are just some of the examples of what people do every day when they are behind the wheel. It might seem like commonplace behaviour, but these types of actions resulted in 655 people being charged by Manitoba RCMP in 2013 under the Highway Traffic Act 215.1.
During the first week of April 2014, Manitoba RCMP recorded 66 charges under the HTA 215.1. During the November 2013 distracted driving campaign a total of 83 people were charged during the whole month.
If you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.
Here are a few suggestions to help keep your focus on the road:
- Be well-rested and alert before driving
- Keep safe driving as your first priority when driving
- Make adjustments before you get underway – seats, mirrors, climate controls and radio stations can all be set to your comfort level before you begin to drive
- Instead of checking news and sports on your phone, tune in to the radio
- Put your phone on vibrate and store it in a backpack, purse, glove box or anywhere but the front seat so you are not tempted to answer it
- Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car
- If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on the road
- Park to eat
- If another activity demands your attention, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place.
On average, a ticket for using a hand-held device is approximately $200 and results in two demerit points off your licence while a ticket for careless driving can be higher.
The RCMP’s goal is to make the roads safe for everyone. Let’s agree and commit to making Manitoba highways safe.
