- Key Takeaways
- Distracted driving is any behavior that may divert your attention from driving safely, such as eating, drinking, interacting with other passengers, using a phone, or being stressed or fatigued.
- 21% of all fatal car accidents involve the use of a phone or other electronic device.
- In Canada, 47% of drivers admit to using their phones while driving, and distracted driving was to account for 22.3% of fatal automobile accidents.
Understanding the Definition of Distracted Driving
A comprehensive driver’s education will pretty much tell you what distracted driving is. In general, any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from their driving operations is referred to as distracted driving.
This includes engaging in any activity that may redirect your focus from safe driving, such as eating or drinking, conversing with passengers, using a phone, or feeling fatigue or stress. Such factors can affect a driver’s ability to keep their hands on the steering wheel.
Texting while driving causes deadly accidents that claim countless lives. Using a phone or other electronic gadget results in 21% of all fatal car accidents. With that said, it’s imperative that once you start driving, you give it your entire attention.
Dangers of Texting While Driving
In Canada, 47% of drivers admit to using their phones while they are on the road, and distraction was a factor in 22.3% of fatal auto accidents in Canada in 2020.
A serious injury due to texting can change a person’s life and his overall health condition. Loss of life can greatly impact the families left behind.
Engaging in this risky conduct might have additional negative effects. Before you start texting while driving, keep the following risk considerations in mind.
Risk of Breaking the Traffic Laws
Distracted driving is against the law across Canada but provinces and territories have their respective set of rules when it comes to this. Generally, driving while distracted of any kind is punishable by a steep fine, demerit points and even license suspensions.
Depending on how serious the collision was, a texting motorist will face harsh penalties. This could vary from a fine and getting tickets to serious charges that involve higher authorities.
To avoid these dangers, make sure that you stay focused at all times. Your responsibility when operating a car is to maintain a state of alertness, attention, and driving safety.
Risk of Increase in Insurance
If you text while driving, not only do you endanger yourself and the people surrounding you, but your insurance will also go up as a result of those acts and their effects.
You may lose points on your license or receive a penalty for texting while driving even if you avoid a crash, and this will raise the cost of coverage for your insurance.
Risk of Increase in Insurance
If you text while driving, not only do you endanger yourself and the people surrounding you, but your insurance will also go up as a result of those acts and their effects.
You may receive a penalty for texting while driving even if you avoid a crash, and this will raise the cost of coverage for your insurance.
Increased Risk of Vehicle Damage
If you are lucky, you will not hurt yourself or others in the event of an accident. However, if you text while driving and get involved in an accident, there is a greater chance that your car will be totaled. The cost of repairing or replacing a wrecked car will cost you a fortune, making it hard for you to recover your car. Distracted driving is to blame for around one-fifth of all fatal traffic accidents and keeping your eyes on the road is the best way to ensure your safety.
Although you have no influence over whether the driver of the car in front of you is using his phone, you may be attentive enough to respond to his driving by avoiding distractions.
Consider taking a driver training course like defensive driving or the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) for new driver’s so you can learn to be attentive enough to respond to unique driving circumstances and avoid distractions.
Sources:
13 Crucial Texting and Driving Statistics for Canada in 2021. (n.d.). https://reviewlution.ca/resources/texting-and-driving-statistics-canada/
Texting and Driving in Canada Statistics for 2022 – Made in CA. (2022, September 22). https://madeinca.ca/texting-and-driving-canada-statistics/
Milenkovic, D. (2022, August 15). 18 Eye-Opening Distracted Driving Statistics Canada. Carsurance Canada. https://carsurance.net/canada/insights/distracted-driving-statistics-canada/
