CAA National

Distracted Driving

Let’s talk about distracted driving. It’s your phone buzzing, the GPS and the morning coffee you just grabbed before rushing out the door. These distractions take your attention away from the road and can pose a serious threat to your safety—as well as the safety of those around you.

CAA is passionate about protecting Canadian drivers and helping you understand the impacts of distracted driving, and what you can do about it. While some distractions may be unavoidable, eliminating preventable distractions before you get behind the wheel not only makes driving less stressful, but it can also save lives. Click on the video to see our award-winning public service announcement reminding drivers of the impacts of distracted driving.

Statistics

Distracted driving takes your eyes, and mind, off the road. Here are some surprising statistics on distracted driving:

phone

up to 8X

Drivers engaged in visual-manual interactions with cell phones (e.g., texting) are up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash. (AAA, 2017)

pie84

#1

Canadians say that texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to their personal safety on the road. (CAA, 2018)

crash

27%

27% of fatal crashes in BC were due to distraction. Police across Canada say that distracted driving has caused more collisions than impaired drivers. (ICBC, 2016)

scalex3

33%

33% of Canadians admit they have texted while stopped at a red light, despite believing it is unacceptable. (CAA, 2016)

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Tips on How to Avoid Distracted Driving

Distractions come in many forms. This is why it is important to always stay focused on the road. Take a look at our tips to avoid distractions and help keep our roads safe.

View A List of Tips

Distracted Driving Laws in Canada

Distracted driving is a national issue. As a result, all ten provinces and two of the three territories in Canada have some form of cell phone/distracted driving legislation in place.

Learn More