Slow down, Ontarians! More than half of the province’s motorists have admit to engaging in risky and unsafe driving behaviours in the past year, a report finds.
A recent study conducted by CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) revealed the figure to be 55 per cent of drivers, which shockingly increases to 61 per cent amongst young drivers aged 18 to 34.
Michael Stewart, a community relations consultant for CAA SCO, says dangerous driving behaviours such as speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving are all factors that pose significant risks on Ontario roads.
“These actions not only endanger the lives of the drivers themselves but also put all road users at risk,” Stewart said. “We must prioritize road safety by promoting responsible driving habits.”
The survey found that the top five dangerous driving behaviours that motorists engaged in are
speeding (41 per cent), distracted driving (20 per cent), unsafe lane changes (9 per cent), aggressive driving (8 per cent) and running red lights (7 per cent).
In contrast, the study revealed that these drivers frequently witnessed others driving dangerously more often.
Eighty-four per cent said they’ve witnessed speeding, 76 per cent saw unsafe lane changes, 76 per cent saw aggressive driving, 73 per cent witnessed distracted driving and 56 per cent saw running red lights.
An Ontario resident shared a compilation video on TikTok of her experience with other drivers in Brampton, showcasing several occurrences of dangerous driving on city roads.
Overall, speeding was found to be the leading concern for Ontario drivers, especially on roads with higher speed limits. Eighty-six per cent of motorists feel safe on residential streets, compared to only 68 per cent on posted 110-kilometre-per-hour highways, the report said.
“Ontarians frequently witness dangerous driving behaviours, especially on highways. The important thing to remember is that the risk of collision can increase when travelling at higher speeds,” Stewart warned.
The study also looked at how Ontarians are affected by fines and speed enforcement on the roads.
Drivers favoured stricter penalties to combat the rise of dangerous driving, according to the report.
In 2024, 35 per cent of Ontarians indicated that fines and penalties for speeding and stunt driving – which can include up to $10,000 fines, license suspensions and jail time – have influenced their behaviour on the road. This figure is up seven per cent from last year, CAA says.
About 78 per cent of Ontario drivers believe that automated speed enforcement (ASE) can help deter drivers from speeding, as 70 per cent have admitted that they will slow down in the presence of an ASE camera. ASE is especially supported near schools and community centres.
A total of 17 per cent of Ontario drivers, equivalent to more than 1.5 million individuals, have received a ticket from an ASE camera in the past, the report states.
“It is no surprise that Ontario motorists are in favour of stricter penalties as speeding and dangerous driving continue to be an issue,”Stewart says. “What is surprising, however, is that despite the support for ASE, four out of 10 Ontario drivers will actively avoid roads where an ASE is present, an increase from last year.”
