Distracted Driving Lawyers in Edmonton

Verdicta LLP's distracted driving lawyers in Edmonton defend cell phone and other distracted driving tickets under Alberta's Traffic Safety Act.

What we handle

• Hand-held cell phone use
• Texting & emailing
• Using other electronic devices
• Entering GPS information
• Reading, writing & grooming
• GDL & commercial drivers

Distracted driving penalties in Alberta

Distracted driving in Alberta carries a $390 fine and 3 demerit points. For drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing program, 3 points is already a large part of the 8-point suspension threshold. Insurers often treat distracted driving convictions seriously when setting premiums.

What the law prohibits

While driving, you can't hold, view or manipulate a hand-held phone, text or email, use other electronic devices such as laptops or cameras, manually enter GPS information, read or write, or groom yourself. You can be charged even if your driving doesn't appear affected.

Hands-free calls, voice commands, properly mounted and pre-programmed GPS, eating, drinking and talking with passengers are generally permitted.

How we defend distracted driving tickets

• What the officer saw — the angle, distance and duration of the observation
• What the device was — not everything in your hand is a prohibited device or use
• Exceptions — hands-free use, lawful parking, and emergency calls
• Negotiation — resolving to a lesser charge with fewer or no demerits where possible

More serious consequences can follow if distraction contributes to a collision — see careless driving.