30 per cent of Niagara drivers admit to using a mobile device while driving

Thorold, ON (March 12, 2018) – More than 30 per cent of Niagara drivers admit to using a mobile device while driving, despite increased penalties for distracted driving, a new study released shows.

While Ontario is cracking down on careless and distracted driving, people are still choosing to text and drive. According to the Regional Niagara Road Safety Committee's Distracted Driving Audit, which observed more than 3,000 vehicles at various urban and rural areas in Niagara, residents are still guilty of driving distracted.

"We're concerned the message isn't sinking in," says CAA Niagara's President and CEO, Peter Van Hezewyk. "Local statistics show motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of injury and death among those 15 to 44 years old. Distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable."

The Distracted Driving audit also revealed that Niagara drivers are twice as likely to engage in distracted driving when stopped at a traffic light compared to a stop-sign. What may seem like an innocent act of quickly glancing down at your mobile device is quite dangerous. A study by CAA National shows you are still distracted from driving for up to 27 seconds after using your phone.

And it's not just texting and driving that people need to be concerned about. According to the audit, 9.8 per cent of Niagara drivers have participated in at least one distracted driving behaviour (using a mobile device, eating, drinking, smoking and grooming) while stopped at a red light.

"Drivers are as much as 23 times more likely to get into a collision when they text and drive," says Mr. Van Hezewyk. "I'm encouraged by the work the Regional Niagara Road Safety Committee is doing in the Niagara community and I hope to see these statistics decline."

The Regional Niagara Road Safety Committee plans to conduct a follow up audit this spring to see if driving behaviours have changed. The committee's goal is to reduce all reportable motor vehicle collisions in Niagara, using education, evaluation, enforcement, engineering and advocacy.

Contact: media@caaniagara.ca