Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has evolved beyond texting. Music apps, maps, messaging apps and social media are all frequently used while driving and pose the same threat as calling or texting. While most of Gen Z recognizes the risk of distracted driving, 1 in 6 young Canadians have admitted to driving distracted in the past. Because of this, CAA has launched a new national campaign with a simple message: if you’re driving, put your phone away.
This campaign was funded in part by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and Pirelli Tyres.
Statistics
Distracted driving takes your eyes, and mind, off the road. Here are some surprising statistics on distracted driving:
1/4
A quarter of Canadians said they saw an increase in drivers using their phones while driving in 2020. (CAA, 2020)
#1
Canadians say that texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to their personal safety on the road. (CAA, 2018)
47%
47% of Canadians admitted that they have typed out or used the voice-memo feature to send a message while driving. (CAA, 2020)
23x
If a driver texts, they’re 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near collision. (Traffic Injury Research Foundation, 2019).
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.
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.
Crash Odds
Drivers engaged in the following distractions are more likely to be in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers.
Text messaging (texting) on a cell phone
up to 8X
Talking on a cell phone
up to 4X