A new poll released by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) found that nearly eight in 10 Canadian drivers admit to being distracted while driving.
In response to these findings, CAA launched a campaign called #BeforeYouDrive to urge drivers to get all distractions out of the way before leaving.
The organization said those surveyed named technologies in their own vehicle – like phones, vehicle consoles, or voice-activated features – as among the most dangerous distractions.
CAA said eating or drinking while driving was listed as the top activity that distracts drivers, with interacting with the car’s console at a red light or stop sign just below it.
Other activities Canadians listed were using voice-activated features in the car and using their phone in a drive through or a red light or stop sign.
Meanwhile, a similar poll conducted by CAA South Central Ontario released in July last year found that 55 per cent of Ontario drivers admit to engaging in unsafe driving, while 95 per cent say they have witnessed dangerous driving from other motorists.
“Distracted driving is already the largest cause of collisions in Canada, but the reasons behind it are evolving,” said CAA National vice-president of public affairs, Ian Jack, in a news release.
Jack said while new technology make a ride more convenient or even safer, the combination of all these technologies to together can lead to even more distraction, adding that it’s impossible to eliminate all distractions.
“The point of this campaign is, before you drive or before you turn the car on, do all the stuff you need to do,” said Julie Beun, CAA North and East Ontario, communications director.
In an interview, Beun said this habit of adjusting the mirrors, buckling the kids, setting the radio or getting the GPS set up are the same as checking your wallet, keys and other personal belongings before leaving the house.
“You should be going through that checklist as well,” she said.
The video campaign will appear on social media, as well as on television, as part of CAA’s road safety advocacy.
The survey, done through Earnscliffe Strategies, is based on a poll of 2,009 Canadians carried out from Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, 2021.
The unweighted sample was conducted in field in English and French to residents from Atlantic Canada to British Columbia.
A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.19 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
