Are CBs really banned in Alberta? Just leave it at ‘maybe’

EDMONTON – You’d think you’d be able to get a straight answer in a province where the motto is "strong and free."

But you can’t, specifically if you’re asking about Alberta’s new distracted-driving legislation.

A recent "clarification" of the rule in regards to CB radio usage among truckers still appears to leave much to interpretation.

The no-cell-phone law was introduced last month. For the most part, it’s clear that distracted driving is a no-no; and the law covers everything from talking on hands-free phones (allowed) to combing your hair or applying lipstick at stop lights (both illegal).

But many in the trucking industry remain confused. They simply don’t know if CBs are banned or not.

At first, we were told they would be banned and then later told that as long as they were being used for commercial purposes, to stay in touch with head office or for emergencies, they’d be fine.

Then, even that was up in the air as the definition of "commercial purposes" was questioned (like whether trucker banter about traffic and road conditions count) and, as Today’s Trucking revealed, the ministry had few answers.

Here’s the simple question that deserves a straight answer: “Under the new law, which will start to be enforced later this year, will truckers be allowed to use CBs?"

Alberta Transportation’s Jeanette Espie, Executive Director, Office of Traffic Safety issued yet another clarification this week, which was posted on the Alberta Motor Transport Association website:

"This legislation is not intended to interfere with well-established commercial operations or search-and-rescue efforts.

"So where this type of communication is required to communicate with the driver’s employer or when participating in some type of emergency management situation, use of hand-held CB radios will be allowed."

"This law is not about taking away tools for traffic safety. The use of hand-held CB radios to communicate extreme weather conditions or a hazard on the roadway, such as a collision, could fall under the ’emergency’ scenario category," says Espie.

"As with all laws, enforcement officers ultimately have the responsibility to evaluate specific situations to determine if citizens are complying with the law."

Translated, we think that means, yes, chatting on the CB for other than ’emergency purposes’ or to stay in touch with the boss will be technically illegal.

However, the law still doesn’t address the fact that staying in touch with head office is mostly irrelevant since traditional CBs aren’t used for that purpose outside of a short radius.

And what else constitutes ’emergency purposes?’ beyond weather and traffic conditions? Does a trucker asking on Channel 19 about a funny rattling noise under his hood count too?

Like we originally suspected, it’ll be up to the cops to decide.

But even on that front, will they all be keenly aware of the ’emergency’ usage exemption in the first place? And how will a cop know (or prove) what’s being chatted about anyway?

Most importantly, will any of it matter if he wants to give you a ticket?

We still await more answers from the authorities.

In the meantime, want to read about the new laws for yourself? Click here.