Distracted driving has increased by 36 per cent over the past two years in Ontario, according to a new report released on Thursday.
Insurance platform, HelloSafe Canada, compiled its most recent statistics on distracted driving in the province as well as across Canada. The program looked at sources such as Transport Canada, the provincial government, Statistics Canada and the CAA.
HelloSafe defines distracted driving as “any action that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, causes him or her to let go of the wheel and divert attention from driving.”
The report says distracted driving was responsible for 18 per cent of fatal collisions within the province in 2021.
On a national scale, 1,768 Canadians are estimated to have lost their lives in the same year. Additionally, distracted driving caused 19.7 per cent of road deaths in Canada.
In 2022, 105 people died as a result of distracted drivers in Ontario, in comparison to 348 deaths across Canada.
Ontario is known as one of the strictest provinces for its laws against distracted driving.
“Distracted Ontarians face a minimum fine of $616 for a violation, one of the highest penalties in the country,” the report said.
In Ontario, a driver’s first distracted driving offence would cost three demerit points and a three day suspension. For three or more convictions, it would cost six demerit points and a 30-day suspension.
The report emphasizes that distracted driving includes more than just texting. Distracted driving refers to any sources that are distracting from visual, manual, cognitive to auditory.
For instance, distracting acts include programming a GPS, eating, drinking, reading, grooming, watching videos and more.
The provincial government says drivers are allowed to use hands-free wireless communications devices with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth, as well as GPS display screens that are built into the vehicle’s dashboard or securely mounted.
Provincial police are allowed to charge drivers with distracted driving depending on if they believe the act is dangerous.
Overall, distracted driving is the second biggest cause of traffic deaths after speeding in Canada. In contrast, speeding accounts for 24.7 per cent of fatal collisions, and 18 per cent are caused by environmental factors.
