Distracted driving may soon earn demerits, higher fines
'They think it won't happen to them,' brain-injured woman says
Two years ago this Sunday, Renaye Wade's life changed forever when she was hit by a distracted driver. Wednesday, she watched as politicians considered toughening the distracted driving law.
Wade sustained a serious brain injury and spent 34 days in a coma after the crash in March 2013.
She said people who text or talk on the phone while driving never think it can happen to them.
"They just don't know," she said. "They think they're too good to have something as bad as what happened to me happen to them or other people."
However, a bill introduced in December by Calgary MLA Moe Amery aims to change that.
Bill 204 issues three demerits for distracted driving and hikes fines from $172 to $250.
Toughening the distracted driving law has been on the government's radar since 2013 when then transportation minister, Ric McIver said the two-year-old legislation needed improvement.
The bill was expected to reach second reading Wednesday.
“After meeting with Renaye this afternoon, it makes me more determined to make sure that this bill goes through,” Amery said.
Justice Minister Jonathan Denis thinks its time for Alberta to issue demerits, which has the support of Alberta police agencies.
“This has a real impact on people’s lives and people’s safety on the roads,” he said.