Rural MLA uncertain on distracted driving bill

A Progressive Conservative MLA from rural Alberta says he needs to talk with his constituents before deciding whether to support distracted driving legislation proposed by the province.

"I've got to be careful who I'm talking with about this driving thing," said Barry McFarland, who represents Little Bow. He admits he's seen driving behaviour in cities that could merit the new rules.

"You know it's not picking on city people, but where you've got so much more traffic, it's scary to see some of the people driving around. They're not even doing the shoulder check and they're blasting out backwards from parking lots."

McFarland has been an outspoken critic of legislation he felt went too far in trying to influence behaviour, such as smoking bans.

On Wednesday, the government introduced Bill 16, which would prohibit the use of hand-held cellphones and texting while driving. If the legislation is passed, other distractions such as reading, writing and grooming could also bring the $172-dollar fine.

However, Dr. Louis Francescutti, a professor in the department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Alberta, said allowing hands-free cellphones is a big mistake.

Hesaid studiesshow no difference between the distraction presented by a hands-free cellphone compared to a hand-held one.

"[The bill is] a step in the right direction, but it's a baby step, when they could have taken a giant leap and really made a big difference," he said.

"It's the conversation that's the distracter. And the conversation with the passenger is actually very different than the conversation you're having with someone that doesn't see the traffic conditions you're in," he said.

'Inattention blindness'

Talking on the phone while driving creates a condition known as "inattention blindness," Francescutti said, meaning drivers "see things before them, but it won't register that they're a danger."

'One in four collisions are caused by distractions, and if we can stop half of that we're ahead of the game.' Luke Ouellette, transportation minister

The legislation should have included higher fines, demerit points and a ban on hands-free cellphone use, he said.

"If the province is actually going to expect that there's going to be less collisions by doing this, studies tell us that there's not going to be less collisions. You need a total ban."

Transportation MinisterLuke Ouellette said he's had lots of positive emails in the time since the legislation was announced.

"One in four collisions are caused by distractions, and if we canstop half of that we're ahead of the game," he said, adding thatthe proposed bill does not includea hands-free ban in part because no other province has gone that direction.

The legislation strikes a balance by "backing off on something that we thought was the least enforceable of all of the distracted driving," said Ouellette.