Did you know that it is illegal to text and drive in Canada? That’s right, any type of distraction while driving can result in a hefty fine. As you’ll see from the distracted driving statistics Canada, this is because using a cell phone while driving can be very dangerous, as it can take your attention away from the road.
Despite this, many drivers continue to use their phones while behind the wheel. So, those people still don’t take the dangers of driving distractions seriously.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the data on distracted driving and explore why it’s such a big problem. We’ll also offer some tips on how to stay safe while driving. Stay tuned!
Critical Distracted Driving Statistics Canada (Editor’s Choice)
- Nearly 75% of people in Canada confess to distracted driving.
- In 2020, 22.3% of the fatal car accidents in Canada involved distraction.
- Reaching for a moving object increases the risk of a crash or near-crash by nine times.
- If you text while driving, you’re 23 times more likely to have an accident.
- Impaired driving accounted for 17.6% of the car accident fatalities in Canada in 2020.
- Almost 1 in 10 Canadians admitted to texting while behind the wheel in 2019.
- The minimum fine for using your phone while driving is $432.5 in Canada.
- In 2019, there were 85,673 cases of impaired driving in Canada.
What Is Distracted Driving Like in Canada?
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents. It has been on the rise in Canada, especially after drivers have turned to their smartphones for entertainment and information. With more than 35.7 million motor vehicles registered in Canada, the odds of running into a distracted driver are getting higher than ever.
1. Almost 80% of distraction-related accidents involve driver inattention within three seconds before the crash.
(VTX)
Moreover, that was also the case for 65% of near-accidents that involved some form of distraction, distracted driving statistics show.
The major causes of driver inattention are distracting activities, like drowsiness or cell phone use. Drivers can easily avoid these problems if they pay attention to the road and avoid distractions.
Drowsy driving can be prevented by getting a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel, and cell phone use can be avoided by putting the phone away while driving.
2. Reaching for a moving object can increase the risk of a crash or near-crash by nine times.
(VTX)
The same research provided some other distracted driving stats, like the one revealing that looking at an external object can increase that same risk by 3.7 times.
As for reading or applying makeup, they increase the risk by three times. Comparatively, dialling a hand-held device increases the chances by nearly three times and talking or listening on a hand-held device—by 1.3 times.
If you want to avoid becoming a statistic, it is important to be aware of the many forms distracted driving can take and make every effort to stay focused while behind the wheel.
3. Almost 75% of Canadians admit to engaging in distracted driving.
(Canada Drivers)
However, many people don’t realize just how dangerous distracted driving can be.
Namely, texting and driving facts show that if you’re driving at 90 kilometres an hour and take your eyes off the road for five seconds to send a text, you will travel the length of an entire football field without seeing anything.
That’s a recipe for disaster. So, next time you’re tempted to do something that would distract you while driving, remember that it’s not worth risking your life or the lives of others.
Distracted Driving Deaths Canada
Despite laws prohibiting distraction while driving, many deaths are still caused. Part of the problem is that many drivers do not realize the dangers of distracted driving.
4. 21.7% of fatal car accidents in Canada in 2019 involved distraction, which is a slight decline from the previous year.
(TC Canada)
Despite the decrease, this was still a significant problem that needed to be addressed. Distracted driving facts show that distracted driving can take many forms, from looking at a text message to taking a phone call and changing the music on your stereo.
Let’s also mention that distracted driving can slow reaction times by 35%.
Even a moment of distraction can be dangerous, so always keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel is crucial. If you’re expecting a phone call or text message, pull over to the side of the road before you answer it.
Also, if you’re tired or distracted, pull over and rest until you can focus on driving. Taking these simple precautions can help make our roads safer for everyone.
5. As distracted driving statistics Canada show, 22.3% of the fatal car accidents in 2020 involved distraction.
(TC Canada)
Despite the dangers, many people continue to drive while distracted. One of the reasons is that they believe they can multitask and still pay attention to the road.
However, research has shown that this is not the case. For example, when people try to do two tasks at once, their performance suffers in both of them.
6. Between January and October 2019, distracted driving accounted for 44 fatalities in Ontario.
(CBC)
That’s approximately one person every week, and those are just the fatalities. Moreover, distracted drivers are more likely to be seriously injured. In fact, apart from these fatalities, thousands more are injured in distracted driving collisions every year.
The good news is that there are things we can do to reduce the risk of distracted driving collisions. First, we need to educate people about the dangers of distracted driving. Second, we need to enforce the existing laws against it.
Finally, we must continue developing new technologies to help prevent distracted driving accidents.
Texting and Driving Statistics Canada
In Canada it is illegal to text and drive. This is because texting while driving is a dangerous distracted driving activity, taking the driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task of driving.
7. 9.7% of Canadians admitted to texting while behind the wheel in 2019.
(Hello Safe)
That represented an increase from the 7.5% the year before. So, nearly 1 in 10 drivers are breaking the law.
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous because it takes your attention away from the road. As a result, you could miss something important, like a stop sign or pedestrian, which could lead to an accident.
8. Texting and driving statistics Canada indicate that you’re 23 times more likely to have an accident if you text and drive.
(Canada Drives)
It’s not worth the risk, especially when there are many other ways to stay connected while you’re on the road. For example, you can use hands-free devices, pull over to text, or wait until you reach your destination.
Your friends and family will understand. Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, and you’ll be fine.
9. In Canada, the minimum fine for using your phone while driving is $432.5.
(Hello Safe)
However, that number doubles for repeated infractions. In addition, distracted driving Ontario statistics disclose that in some provinces like Ontario, the maximum fine for distracted driving is a whopping $3,000. That’s a lot of money to shell out for something that could have easily been avoided.
10. 58% of Canadian survey respondents think distracted driving is the leading cause of traffic fatalities in the country.
(RatesDotCa)
This is a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the need for drivers to be more aware of the dangers distractions carry.
According to some distracted driving statistics from 2021, fewer respondents (47%) agreed on the same thing that year. As for 2020, only 4 in 10 respondents considered distracted driving a major cause of traffic deaths.
Canadians are becoming more aware of the dangers of distracted driving, with a majority of survey respondents now identifying it as the leading cause of traffic fatalities in the country.
11. In 2020, 47% of drivers in Canada admitted to using a phone while driving a vehicle.
(Lalande)
Moreover, if you want to know how many accidents involving injuries are caused by texting and driving in Canada, remember that around 27% of all severe car crash injuries directly result from texting while driving.
12. A third of drivers in Canada admit to using a phone while they wait for a green light.
(Lalande)
This is an alarming statistic, as it indicates that many drivers are distracted even before they start moving. While it may seem harmless to check a text or scroll through social media while stopped at a red light, the reality is that this behaviour can have serious consequences.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, and even a brief moment of inattention can lead to a tragedy.
Impaired Driving Statistics Canada
Impaired driving is a serious problem in Canada, as it causes thousands of crashes, injuries, and deaths every year. The consequences of impaired driving can be devastating, not just for the people involved in a crash but also for their families and friends.
13. Impaired driving accounted for 15.2% of the car accident fatalities in Canada in 2019.
(TC Canada)
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of car accidents and fatalities, besides distracted driving in Canada. The best way to prevent impaired driving is never to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. If you must drive, plan ahead and designate a sober driver.
14. In 2020, impaired driving accounted for 17.6% of the car accident fatalities in Canada.
(TC Canada)
That represented a 15.8% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the pandemic led to more people drinking at home, which increased the likelihood of impaired driving.
The best way to prevent these fatalities is to educate people about the dangers of driving while under the influence.
15. From January to October 2019, impaired driving accounted for 34 deaths in Ontario.
(CBC, Justice)
The texting while driving statistics for Canada confirmed that behaviour is a punishable crime. So, it’s needless to say that impaired driving is also punishable.
Namely, if you’re convicted of impaired driving in Ontario, you’ll face a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence.
For a second offence, the mandatory minimum sentence is 30 days in jail. And for a third offence, you’ll look at a minimum of 120 days in prison.
The maximum punishment for all three offences is 10 years in prison. So, if you’re thinking about getting behind the wheel after drinking, think again. The penalties just aren’t worth it.
16. In 2019, Canada reported 85,673 cases of impaired driving.
(150 Stat Can)
Facts about texting and driving have already shown how dangerous that behaviour is. However, this is also troubling, indicating that more and more people are choosing to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs.
Moreover, police reports say 2019 saw the highest number of impaired driving incidents since 2011.
This choice can be devastating for both a driver and anyone who happens to be in the vicinity.
17. In 2019, Canada had a rate of 206 alcohol-impaired driving incidents per 100,000 population.
(150 Stat Can)
According to drunk driving statistics for Canada, that was an increase of 15% from the previous year.
Many steps can be taken to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired driving incidents. These include increasing public awareness of alcohol-impaired driving dangers, increasing fines and penalties for offenders, and enhancing enforcement efforts.
18. Prince Edward Island was the Canadian province with the highest rate of impaired driving cases in 2019.
(150 Stat Can)
More specifically, there were 645 incidents per 100,000 population. Furthermore, that was the first time in over two decades that another province other than Saskatchewan had the highest rate.
In comparison, Saskatchewan’s rate of these incidents was 539 per 100,000 population, representing the second-highest rate in the provinces in 2019.
Distracted Driving Statistics Canada: Summary
We’ve all been there—you’re driving along, and you hear your phone go off. You tell yourself you’ll just check it quickly, but you’re swerving into the next lane before you know it.
While we’ve looked at distracted driving, drunk driving, and texting and driving in Canada, the principles behind them are universal. No matter where you are in the world, it is important to be aware of the dangers these behaviours provoke and to do what you can to avoid them.
We hope this article has been informative, and you will think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking, texting while driving, or letting yourself become distracted.
Distracted Driving Statistics Canada – People Also Ask
What is the percentage of distracted drivers?
According to a recent study, almost 75% of Canadians admit to engaging in distracted driving. Unfortunately, that means millions of drivers are not paying full attention to the road on any given day.
Who is most at risk for distracted driving?
Young drivers are the most likely to engage in this risky behaviour and less likely to follow best practices for safe driving.
Additionally, male drivers are more likely to be involved in distracted driving accidents than female drivers. This is partly because men are more likely to take risks while driving, such as texting or emailing behind the wheel.
How many crashes are caused by distracted driving globally?
Distracted driving is a growing problem in today’s world. With the rise of cell phones and other mobile devices, more and more people choose to text, talk, or even surf the web while behind the wheel.
According to estimates, distracted driving is a factor in approximately 2.5 million car crashes worldwide each year.
How many fatal accidents are caused by distracted driving in Canada?
As per the latest data from 2020, distraction accounted for 22.3% of the fatal car accidents in Canada that year. This represented a rise from the previous year when 21.7% of fatal car accidents in Canada involved distraction, as per the distracted driving statistics Canada offers.