Edmonton still mulling cell phone ban

EDMONTON, Alta. — Edmonton’s lawmakers are being asked to consider a recent study that indicates cell phones represent a small fraction of driver distractions before banning cell phones will driving.

The Edmonton Police Commission was presented with data from a recent study that indicates outside distractions cause 29 per cent of all driver distractions, adjusting the radio causes 11 per cent and other passengers cause 11 per cent. That compares to cell phone use, which only causes 1.5 per cent of driver distractions, according to the study conducted at the University of North Carolina.

Edmonton is on the verge of becoming the first Canadian municipality to ban the use of cell phones while driving, by implementing a city bylaw. A decision has been pushed back until September to allow municipal authorities more time to gather information.

The Edmonton Police Service has asked its health and safety advisory for input and a status report is being prepared for the police commission meeting coming up in October.