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EDMONTON — Tougher penalties for distracted driving in Alberta are going to include demerits starting Friday, Jan. 1.

Fines went up to $287 after new legislation was passed by the previous Tory government last spring. The NDP provincial government then approved the addition of three demerit points.

Brian Mason announces demerits will be handed out to distracted drivers starting January 1. #ableg #yeg pic.twitter.com/xYOZV5xvnd — Fletcher Kent (@FletcherKent) December 10, 2015

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READ MORE: Albertans facing increased traffic fines

“I think anything that they can do to try and discourage distracted driving has got to be a positive step,” Const. Brian McLeod with the Sherwood Park RCMP said earlier this month.

Distracted driving includes using a hand-held cellphone or GPS, as well as reading, writing, eating or personal grooming.

Sgt. James McLeod with the Major Collisions Investigation Unit said it will be interesting to see the impact of the new law.

“You would hope people would take the time to figure out a different method of communication and not operate a vehicle using a cell phone…you would hope,” he said. Tweet This

McLeod said enforcement will remain the same to catch distracted drivers.

“We’re not going to go, ‘Hey now we can go get demerit points attached to this ticket and this driver.’ That’s not our focus to be out there and focus on that type of activity. Ours is a well-rounded approach to enforcing the laws,” he said. Tweet This

Driver Mildred Sanchez sometimes uses her phone while in the driver’s seat and says it will be a tough habit to break.

“But you have to sacrifice something that’s for the good of everybody,” she said, adding the addition of demerit points will play a big factor in putting down her phone. Tweet This

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However, not all drivers think the new law will do much – Kerry Belrose does not think it will be enough to change behaviour.

“People can afford the fines. It will make some people stop but not everybody,” he said. Tweet This

There were 87,633 convictions for distracted driving across Alberta from September 2011 to March 2015, according to the government. Ninety-seven per cent of the incidents involved a driver using a hand-held device.

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton very little! People lose points for speeding, but still do it. — Paul (@acquaguy) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton I c > distracted driving than I c cops catching them. If city doesn’t put > cops on more rules won’t work. — Vanessa (@educnfirst) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton I certainly hope it does.Every single day,even still,I see people texting while driving. — Betty Brown (@bopperBetty) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton Not a chance, lots of traffic laws with suspensions, fines+demerits, speeding or DUI for example — Anthony Peressini (@AKPeressini29) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton It’s not distracted driving causing accidents. It’s plain stupidly from drivers that think they invincible. — Kyle Marko (@HorizonKyle) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton hell. Jail time still doesn’t deter people from getting behind the wheel drunk — Brandon (@GoBonney) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton penalizing does not always help, awareness sessions for people are more important to hv better end results — Pardeep Singh (@Pardeep_Sidhu) December 31, 2015

@JWongGlobalNews @GlobalEdmonton only way to change this is suspension — Brandon (@GoBonney) December 31, 2015

With files from the Canadian Press

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