Dangerous Driving Policy
Dangerous Driving Policy
Every driver who uses the Catch platform has a responsibility to drive safely and follow the established rules of the road and all applicable laws. If we receive serious or repeated reports of dangerous driving and/or violations of applicable driving laws, the driver or delivery person may lose access to their account, as stated in their Platform Access Agreement with Catch.*
What is dangerous driving?
Examples include:
Distracted driving
- According to our partners at the Alberta Government, Alberta’s distracted driving law applies to all vehicles as defined by the Traffic Safety Act and all roads in Alberta. It restricts drivers from doing any of the following, even while stopped at red lights:
- using hand-held cell phones
- texting or e-mailing
- using electronic devices such as laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players such as MP3 players
- entering information on GPS units
- reading printed materials in the vehicle
- writing, printing or sketching
- personal grooming such as brushing and flossing teeth, putting on makeup, curling hair, clipping nails or shaving
- You can be charged with distracted driving, even if your driving performance does not appear to be affected. If you commit a moving violation while distracted, you could receive two tickets — one for distracted driving and one for the moving violation.
- Under the Traffic Safety Act, police also have the discretion to lay charges if you are engaging in other activities while driving that impair your ability to drive safely.
- For example, you can be charged with distracted driving if you are distracted by your pet while driving. Police can also charge you if you permit anything to:
- occupy the front seat of your vehicle that interferes with your access to the vehicle controls and the safe operation of the vehicle
- obstruct your clear vision in any direction
- For the safety of pets, drivers and all road users, it is recommended that pets are secured in appropriate pet carriers.
Penalties
- The penalty for distracted driving in Alberta is a $300 fine and 3 demerit points.
- Activities that are not specifically restricted under the law are:
- using a cell phone in hands-free mode – the device is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device
- using an earphone – if it is used in a hands-free or voice-activated manner
- drinking beverages – coffee, water or pop
- eating a snack
- smoking
- talking with passengers
- listening to a portable audio player – as long as it is set up before you begin driving
- calling emergency services such as 9-1-1 with a hand-held cell phone
- using two-way radios or hand-held radios (also known as CB radios) when a driver is required to remain in contact with one’s employer, such as when escorting oversized vehicles or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations
- permitting the display screen of the following:
- a GPS navigation system – as long as the system is affixed to the vehicle and programmed before you begin driving or the system is voice activated. You cannot hold the unit or manually enter information while driving
- a collision avoidance system
- a gauge, instrument, device or system that provides information about the vehicle’s systems or the vehicle’s location
- a dispatch system for transporting passengers
- a logistical transportation tracking system that tracks vehicle location, driver status or the delivery of goods for commercial purposes
- an alcohol ignition interlock device
- Under the Traffic Safety Act, emergency vehicles include police service vehicles, fire response units, ambulances and gas disconnection units. Drivers of emergency vehicles are able to use hand-held communication devices or other electronic devices only when acting within the scope of their employment.
Not following traffic laws
We expect everyone who uses the Catch platform to do their part and follow local traffic laws and regulations. That includes:
- Following signs, traffic lights, and signals
- Turning only where permitted
- Signaling before turning or changing lanes
- Yielding the right of way to pedestrian
- Not driving or stopping in a bike lane or crosswalk
Aggressive driving
Examples of aggressive driving include:
- Speeding
- Braking suddenly
- Tailgating
- Abruptly accelerating or stopping
- Swerving, including into pedestrian walkways or bike lanes
Driving under the influence
- Using or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs when using the Driver app
- Catch has a Zero Tolerance Policy on driving under the influence. Anyone found to contravene to this policy wil immediately lose their access to their account.
How does Catch receive reports that a driver is driving dangerously?
Riders can contact customer support and report instances when their driver drove dangerously. Unsafe driving reports include any complaint that mentions a specific issue with the driver’s operation of the vehicle that resulted in a perceived unsafe, high-risk, or dangerous experience.
How does a rider let Catch know about the way a driver is driving?
Catch is committed to helping every experience for riders and drivers feel safe, respectful, and positive. If a rider feels that their driver was driving in an unsafe manner during a trip, we ask them to let us know by reaching out to our customer support team via out telephone contact number or in the Catch app.
What happens to the driver if a rider reports they were driving unsafely?
Every time a rider reports potentially dangerous driving, a driver receives an in-app message letting them know about the complaint. We also let them know that serious or repeated claims of unsafe driving can result in their loss of access to the Driver app. If a driver receives repeated reports of dangerous driving, we’ll let them know that their account is at risk of deactivation if the reports continue.
Will a driver be affected by false rider reports?
Our teams proactively review each report for signs of fraud. We are continually implementing new processes and technology to identify and discourage user fraud. Any report we find to be related to fraud would not affect a driver’s safety history or their status on the Driver app. Users who submit false information to Catch or otherwise engage in fraudulent activity violate Catch’s Community Guidelines and risk losing access to the Catch platform.
* For more information about the types of conduct that can cause a user to lose access to the Catch platform, read our Village Guidelines to understand why drivers and delivery people lose account access.
Note: Our Village Guidelines apply to everyone who uses the Catch platform, including both driver and riders. Drivers are independent third-party providers and not actual agents, ostensible agents, or employees of Catch.