Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (Summer 2022)
Canadians are well aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but that is not stopping many of them from engaging in unsafe behaviours.
While 77 per cent of Canadians say distracted driving is very risky and they take every step possible to avoid being distracted, half of respondents admit to talking or using a phone while driving, according to the 2022 Travelers Canada Distracted Driving Risk Survey.
Notably, one in five drivers admit they have had a crash, collision or near miss because they were distracted.
“It is alarming to see a large percentage of people admit to risky driving behaviours, which indicate that more needs to be done to convince people to put their phones away and stay focused on driving,” said Paul Stone, vice-president of distribution and sales at Travelers Canada. “It’s time we rethink our actions and accept the vital role we all play in keeping our roads safe.”
According to the survey, 29 per cent of Canadians say they respond to work-related calls, texts or e-mails while driving.
Reasons cited include concern that it might be a work emergency (44 per cent) feeling the need to always be available (30 per cent) and worrying that they will miss something important (28 per cent).
When asked about expectations within the workplace, 19 per cent of employed Canadians say their employer has an official policy about sending or receiving work-related phone calls, texts or e-mails while driving.
When an employer has a policy in place, the majority (87 per cent) of employees report that they always or usually comply with it.
This survey was conducted April 4-7, 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 1,010 Canadian Aged 18-69, balanced and weighted on age, gender and religion.
My opinion
Everywhere you drive one sees drivers driving erratically, especially concerning speed. When a driver receives a text or phone call, the attention span changes and so does the speed. The lights have changed but no one moves. (We have all been there)
As a personal note, a distracted driver (Not his first) was involved in a head-on crash with my daughter-in-law and grandson a few years to go. He had a concussion but was ok but mother had to have 5 surgeries on her left side.
Yes, distracted drivers should be caught and heavily fined to aid in making our roads a little safer. We have, and still are, working hard to reduce drunk driving so now a new threat needs to be handled with the same enthusiasm.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks.
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article.