It looks like Olds and area drivers need more education on the folly of distracted driving.
A distracted driving blitz by Olds RCMP on March 4 resulted in 30 charges being laid. In total, 28 traffic stops were made.
Local drivers don't seem to understand that driving while distracted doesn't just mean driving and talking on a cellphone. That is, of course, one part of it.
But it can also mean using any other electronic devices, manually programming GPS devices or audio players, reading, writing and applying makeup or doing any other kind of personal grooming.
Olds RCMP also point out that using a cellphone's speaker phone function does not make it a hands-free device. In order to fit that definition, the phone must be activated by a single touch or be voice-activated.
Local drivers need to understand that doing any of those things listed above can lead to an accident – at least a fender-bender, if not a fatal crash.
And no one wants that to occur.
On top of that, distracted driving is also painful monetarily.
A distracted driving offence can result in a $287 fine and three demerit points on your licence. The 30 charges laid March 4 in Olds resulted in a total of about $9,000 in fines.
When you drive, don't allow yourself to be distracted by anything – from coffee spills to cellphone calls.
You'll not only save yourself some money, you'll also possibly be saving a life.
