Being on the phone while driving is still a problem for Canadians
A contributed post as written for The Safe Driver.
Distracted driving is still a problem in Canada, where most provinces have laws against the act. But some Canadians aren’t familiar with what these laws define as ‘distracted driving.’ The definition of the term is probably much broader than you might have imagined.
What is Distracted Driving?
Most of the laws in Canada define distracted driving as the driver operating any function on a smartphone. Smartphones are allowed to be used as GPS devices, as long as the route is pre-programmed and directions come through the speakers. Drivers are supposed to have no interaction with their smartphone while behind the wheel. But studies have found that half of Canadian motorists use their phone while driving, despite stiff penalties.
The penalty for using a phone while driving differs from province to province. Some actively enforce license suspension for repeat offenders, while others don’t. The fine amount also differs from one province to another. One citation for distracted driving costs $287 in Alberta — and up to $1,000 in Ontario.
The Proof is Alarming
You may think driving while using a smartphone isn’t a serious offense but consider these statistics. Checking your phone screen for just five seconds at 90 km/h means you’ve traveled a football field blindfolded. The National Safety Council estimates that around 26% of car crashes involve phone users. That number includes hands-free phone use, which is permitted in certain use cases. That same report suggests drivers distracted by their phones fail to see around 50% of the information in their driving environment. The RCMP reports that driver distraction is a factor in around 4 million motor vehicle crashes each year.
Obey the Laws
The laws and fines associated with distracted driving are different in each province. But the laws apply equally across both vehicles and bicycles. That means cyclists need to adhere to the same distracted driving laws as motor vehicle drivers. You can avoid the temptation to glance at your phone while driving by making a few modifications to your day.
Before you get in your vehicle, make sure you switch your phone to silent. That way you’re not getting notification after notification and wondering if it’s something important. Removing the temptation to check those notifications can help you remove impulsive distracted driving. If you can’t avoid checking your calls you may benefit from downloading a call blocking app. These apps can set up filters that only allow certain numbers to call. Otherwise, the app will text the caller to let them know you’re driving and busy.
Finally, if you do encounter an emergency you need to deal with on your phone, just pull over. Take care of the distraction while you’re off the road and in a safe area to deal with it. Remember, it only takes eyes off the road for just a few seconds to lose control. No matter how good of a driver you think you are, accidents can always happen. Staying safe on the road requires diligence and awareness of dangerous behaviors.