BC drivers among least distracted in Canada: survey

Chances are, every time you get behind the wheel, your phone is with you.

As part of the Rates.ca fourth annual distracted driving survey, 43% of Canadians admit to using a mobile device while driving.

According to the study, this includes using maps, listening to music, checking messages, and making calls on an unmounted device.

“All of these actions constitute an offence, which varies across provinces,” says the survey. “But distracted driving takes many forms. Anything that robs your attention from the road can still yield fatal consequences.”

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It says British Columbians are the least likely to drink or eat while driving (62%) compared to other provinces and the second-least likely to talk to a passenger (61%).

BC wasn’t the best of the best this time, though. Overall, the survey says Quebec has the lowest percentage of people who admit to distracted driving behaviours.

Rates.ca says a whopping 83% of Canadian drivers say they engage in at least one distracted driving behaviour, including eating, drinking, talking to a passenger, or reaching for an object while driving.

Despite the high volume of participation in distracted driving, 58% of Canadian participants believe it is the biggest risk on our roads.

And according to a recent survey from Kijiji Autos, Vancouver has the fewest dangerous drivers in Canada. Almost 80% of drivers say they feel happy when behind the wheel, and about two-thirds of Vancouver drivers believe our roads are in great shape when it comes to road conditions.

Distracted driving transcends technology

Distracted driving is typically associated with cellphone use, but Rates.ca says various activities that may seem harmless while driving are considered distractions.

The survey says that searching for an object, eating, or drinking a non-alcoholic beverage diverts your attention away from the road.

For example, in Alberta and British Columbia, personal grooming counts as distracted driving. Whereas in Ontario, the province’s distracted driving law only applies to electronic devices. However, more than half (58%) of respondents believe eating or drinking a beverage while driving is a safe activity compared to technological distractions.

According to Ontario Provincial Police, inattentive-related traffic deaths have increased by 29% from 2020 to 2021, while alcohol-and drug-related traffic deaths declined by 46% in the same time frame.

The survey says Canadians are taking part in what it calls “select distractions” because they believe they’re safe. Examples include: eating and drinking, talking to passengers while in motion, checking messages while at a red light or stop sign, and, unfortunately, even making social media posts — especially TikTok.

“Distracted driving isn’t just unsafe; it’s costly, too. Not only is there the fine you may receive from police — there’s also the toll this infraction can take on your auto insurance rate,” says Rates.ca.

“Distracted driving can impact your auto premium differently from province to province. So, if your own safety, and the safety of others, isn’t enough of an incentive to stay alert while driving, it’s possible an auto premium increase might pave the way toward safer driving practices among Canadians.”