Cellphone-Free Driving

Think you can drive safely while talking on a cell phone?
Take the challenge:  http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/ 



There is no job that a Parkland County employee is required to do that should come before his or her health and safety.

On August 26, 2008, Parkland County Council passed a policy restricting cell phone use in vehicles starting September 1, 2008. Since then, not only has Parkland County received a lot of media attention, we were also asked to be a member of the Coalition for Cell-phone-Free Driving!

The County's policy was initiated by the Parkland County Joint Workplace Health and Safety Committee, made up of employees from all levels and representing various departments throughout the organization. Dr. Francescutti challenged Parkland County staff to look at cellphone use while driving as a workplace safety issue and the Committee decided it was important enough to implement a policy to protect employees.

Other municipalities have policies that address cell phone use as part of safe work practices, but Parkland County’s policy is unique as it is a Council policy that restricts cell phone use for not only employees, but also Council members, volunteers, and contractors working for the County. Many Parkland County Councillors and employees have taken the cellphone-free driving initiative personally and drive cellphone free all the time!

coalition logo

Be a cellphone-free driver

Here are some tips to help you become a Cellphone-Free Driver:

  • Turn off your cellphone/Blackberry before you start driving.
  • If you can't turn your phone off, let it ring.
  • Are you addicted? Avoid temptation and put your cellphone or Blackberry in your trunk.
  • Let your callers know you are a cellphone-free driver and not available to take or make calls while in transit.
  • Put a message on your voicemail that says you are either driving or in a meeting and will return calls as soon as possible.
  • Establish regular times for callers to contact you and for you to return calls.
  • Do not attempt to make calls or send emails or text messages while you are at a stoplight as a majority of crashes occur at intersections.
  • Let someone else drive so that you can freely make or receive calls.
  • If you are travelling with a passenger, allow them to operate the phone.
  • Enjoy cellphone-free driving - view it as downtime or an opportunity to listen to your favourite CD.
  • Be a role model for other drivers such as your teenager or fellow colleague.

Research Highlights 

  • Driver inattention or distraction is responsible for 25 - 30% of police-reported traffic crashes.
  • In Alberta, six people die every week in traffic collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that driver distraction is responsible for 25 to 30% of these collisions.
  • Drivers using cellphones are as impaired as drunk drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08.
  • The increased risk of a crash for both hand-held and hands-free units is approximately four times.
  • Using a cellphone while driving increases the probability of missing red lights and slows the driver's reaction time by 18%.
  • Research shows that talking or conversing on the cellphone while driving is the issue.
  • Talking to a passenger does not cause the same amount of distraction as using a cellphone. A passenger can see the traffic situation and adapt the conversation accordingly.
  • Employers could be liable for motor vehicle collisions involving their employees who are using cellphones while driving.
  • In a recent public opinion survey in Alberta, 73% of those surveyed rated cellphone use while driving as very or somewhat dangerous. 74% supported legislation that would make it illegal to use a cellphone while driving.

Tips and Research Highlights from the Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving brochure.
Visit www.cellphonefreedriving.ca for more information.