Driving and Drivers in Alberta

There are over 181,000 kilometers of public roads inthat will ban distracting activities while driving.
Alberta. The Yellowhead HighwayDistracting activities can include talking on a cell
(Winnipeg-Edmonton-Prince Rupert-Vancouver) andphone, texting, shaving ...etc. Statistics have revealed
Highway 2 (USA-Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton-Norththat "driver error was a factor in 90% of 158,055
Alberta) are the two main roads that serve Alberta.Alberta crashes last year." As well, according to the
If you are considering making Alberta your home orprovince's Transportation Ministry, "rural highways and
planning on traveling throughout the province forstreets were the site of 70 per cent of the 376 fatal
business or pleasure, you should be aware of thecollisions in Alberta last year."
many rules and features associated with driving onIn Alberta, the Traffic Safety Act and regulations
Alberta's roads.under the Act cover driver training and driver
To drive in Alberta, one is required to have a driver'sexaminations, demerit points, inspections, and
license. You can apply for a learner's license from agecommercial vehicles. Alberta requires vehicle safety
14. There are seven classes of license in Alberta.inspections for all vehicles on the road.
Class 7 is the learner's license. To obtain a driver'sAll motor vehicles and trailers in Alberta have to be
license, you will not only have to pass a road drivinglicensed before they are allowed on the road. As well,
test, but also a vision and written test. Once youall motor vehicles in Alberta must have a public liability
have obtained a driver's license, you are legallyinsurance policy. The minimum liability insurance in
mandated to obey all of Alberta's traffic laws. If youAlberta is $200,000. You are required to have proof
are caught violating traffic laws such as speeding,of your insurance when registering a vehicle.
you will be fined. Alberta Highways have a speed limitAlberta has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)
of 100 km/h (62 mph). The exception is in the Rockyprogram to license new drivers. The purpose of the
Mountain National Parks which have speed limits of 90program is to help new drivers acquire the skills and
km/h (56 mph) because of the high number ofexperience required for driving a vehicle safely. Driver
wildlife crossings the roads. Most rural highways andlicenses from all countries are valid in Alberta for up
roads have a speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).to three months. An International Driving Permit that
It is important to note that infant car seats arecan be acquired in one's native country is valid in
mandatory in Alberta. As well, a new law is plannedAlberta for one year.