Safe & Legal Driving

Proactive driving means spotting hazards early and acting before they become emergencies. Never assume other drivers will do the right thing.

• Urban areas: look 12–15 seconds ahead, about 1 to 1½ blocks.
• Rural areas: look 20–25 seconds ahead.
• Check your mirrors every 8–12 seconds, and whenever you're about to slow or stop.
• Watch for fixed hazards (curves, hills, hidden driveways, intersections, merges) and variable hazards (pedestrians, left-turning vehicles, icy roads, "stale" green lights, emergency vehicles).
• Always have an escape route in mind.

Driver's Guide p. 89

The 2-second rule: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, count "one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two". If you reach the point before you finish, you're too close. It works at any speed.

• Leave more than 2 seconds in poor conditions.
• Large vehicles such as motor homes should leave at least 4 seconds.

Being tailgated? If safe, slow down slightly to encourage the driver to pass. If they don't, leave more space ahead of you.

Stopped in traffic? Leave enough room to pull into another lane without reversing. It protects you if you're hit from behind, or if someone skids toward you.

Driver's Guide pp. 89–90

Don't use a phone or other device while driving. The guide advises against hands-free calls too. If you need to call or text, stop somewhere safe and legal.

These distractions carry a fine and 3 demerit points:

• using a hand-held phone, or texting or emailing
• using laptops, video games, cameras, or video screens
• programming a music player or entering a GPS destination
• reading, or writing, printing, or sketching
• personal grooming

Driver's Guide pp. 90–91

Everyone must be properly buckled up, or in an approved child seat.

• Passengers 16 and older can be fined for not wearing a seat belt.
• The driver is responsible for every passenger under 16.

Child seats:

A child under 6 who weighs 18 kg or less must be in a child safety seat. Seats must carry the Canadian safety label (CMVSS 213).

Driver's Guide pp. 91–92

Fatigue slows your reactions and clouds your judgement, and can lead you to drift off the road or into another lane. It's caused by lack of sleep, stress, boredom, long drives, illness, and eye strain, and made worse by heavy meals, alcohol, or a warm car.

• Start rested, keep the car cool and ventilated, keep your eyes moving, and stop to rest when you feel tired.

Medications, even over-the-counter ones, can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist, and know how they combine with alcohol.

Driver's Guide p. 107

Impairment begins with the first drink or drug use. Impaired driving remains a major cause of deaths and injuries on Alberta roads.

Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) apply on the spot:

Penalties increase for repeat occurrences, and criminal charges can bring jail time and a criminal record.

Driver's Guide pp. 107–114

Driving while your licence is suspended or disqualified can mean jail, fines, or both, plus another suspension. The vehicle is impounded for 30 days, no matter who owns it, and the owner pays the towing and storage costs.

You must give up your licence at a registry office on or before the date your suspension starts.

Driver's Guide pp. 110, 115

• No towing people on skis, toboggans, bicycles, and so on.
• No riding in a towed trailer, or on the outside of a vehicle, including the box of a pickup truck.
• People under 14 can't drive a tractor or farm equipment on a highway.
• If your rear view is blocked, you need outside mirrors on both sides.
• A load extending 1.5 m or more past the rear needs a red flag (at least 30 cm square) by day, and a red light at night.
• Don't disturb residents with your vehicle between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Driving without due care and attention, or without consideration for others, is careless driving (6 demerit points).
• Don't drive in two lanes at once.

Driver's Guide pp. 94–95