Distracted driving may soon earn demerits, higher fines

Two years ago this Sunday,Renaye Wade's life changed forever when she was hit by a distracted driver. Wednesday, she watched as politiciansconsidered toughening the distracted driving law.

Wade sustained a serious brain injury and spent 34 days in a coma after the crash in March 2013.

She said people who text or talk on thephone while driving neverthink it canhappen to them.

"They just don't know," she said. "They think they're too good to have something as bad as what happened to me happen to them or other people."

Alberta is the only province that does not issue demerit points for drivers ticketed fordistracted driving.

However, a bill introduced in December by CalgaryMLA Moe Ameryaims to change that.

Bill 204 issuesthree demerits fordistracted drivingand hikesfines from $172 to $250.

Toughening the distracted driving law has been on the government's radar since 2013 when then transportation minister, Ric McIversaid the two-year-old legislation needed improvement.

• Distracted driving law not working, Alberta minister says

The bill was expected to reach second reading Wednesday.

After meeting with Renaye this afternoon, it makes me more determined to make sure that this bill goes through, Amery said.

Justice Minister Jonathan Denis thinks its time for Alberta to issue demerits, which has the support of Alberta police agencies.

This has a real impact on peoples lives and peoples safety on the roads, he said.