A car is not a living room.

More and more Albertans are distracted while driving, says Kent Dixon, of the Alberta Motor Association.

“I see more and more people driving their vehicles as though they’re sitting on their couch at home,” he said.”They’re doing anything but paying attention. Driving is not about multi-tasking.”

Add impaired driving and speed to various driver distractions, like text-messaging, and the chances of a collision increase dramatically.

“It really just takes a split-second for an error in judgment or a moment of distraction to cause a collision. There is no such thing as an accident, there are only collisions which can be avoided.”

With the improved weather and road conditions, unfortunately comes increased speeds and risk-taking on Alberta roads as people deal with cabin fever, he said.

Alberta Transportation statistics show that 46 per cent of fatalities on Alberta roads happen between the May and Labour Day long weekends. Between 1998 and 2007, there were more than 10,000 injuries and 225 deaths on roads in Alberta.

Dixon is asking drivers to take reponsibility for their own actions and look out for the safety of, not just themselves, but others as well. He added there’s no excuse to drink and drive.

“We’re not telling people not to drink,” he said. “We’re telling people to drink responsibility.”

Kimberley Collins-Lauber, Edmonton Journal
kcollins-lauber@thejournal.canwest.com