An Albertan man has been sentenced for his 13th distracted driving conviction..The Alberta RCMP said it's always on the lookout for distracted drivers, working hard to reduce fatalities and serious injury collisions caused by distracted driving..A 40-year-old male was sentenced in Airdrie traffic court Tuesday for his 13th distracted driving conviction. According to the RCMP, for the last conviction he received a $2,000 fine and a $300 victim surcharge. The individual also received three demerit points..Following a large public education campaign, distracted driving became illegal in Alberta on Sept. 1, 2011..That same day, the same driver was issued a distracted driving ticket. The man has now been convicted a total of 13 times for distracted driving in the province, with fines totalling $7,665..Research shows driver distraction is the primary cause of more than 20% of all crashes, and that distracted drivers are three times more likely than attentive drivers to be involved in a collision..Alberta’s distracted driving law applies to all vehicles as defined by the Traffic Safety Act and all roads in Alberta..It restricts drivers from doing any of the following, even while stopped in traffic or at red lights:.Using hand-held mobile devicesTexting or emailingUsing electronic devices such as laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays, and portable audio playersEntering information on GPS unitsReading printed materialsWriting, printing, or sketchingPersonal grooming, such as brushing and flossing teeth, putting on makeup, curling hair, clipping nails, or shaving."Sadly, motor vehicle collisions caused by distracted driving are happening every day in Alberta. Please, leave the phone alone," the Alberta RCMP stated.
