Driver distraction issues

A new report highlights driver distraction issues.
By MJ Woof March 30, 2022 Read time: 1 min
Surveys reveal that many drivers risk using cellphones at the wheel – image © courtesy of Mike Woof
A survey of drivers in Canada reveals that many are continuing to use cellphones at the wheel, despite this now being illegal. According to the survey carried out in British Columbia, 42% of drivers asked admitted using their cellphones while driving for 10% or more of journeys.

At the same time, 93% of the drivers in the survey are aware texting at the wheel is dangerous and 84% recognise that using a cellphone to make a call while driving is dangerous. Research shows that cellphone use at the wheel presents similar risks to drivers being under the influence of drink or drugs.

Crash data from British Colombia reveals that distracted driving is a factor in 25% of fatal crashes. The authorities are looking to implement further enforcement measures in a bid to reduce the casualty rate. Tackling distracted driving is seen as a key task to improving road safety.
Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • Simple road safety measures save lives
    February 15, 2012
    Elementary road safety measures quickly pay back the costs of investment and, more importantly, help save lives as Patrick Smith reports. More than 300 people in the UK are alive today or have avoided the prospect of a lifetime of special care because just 15 roads have had simple improvements put in place.
    Read More
  • UK's M25 junction works planned
    May 25, 2022
    The UK government is planning two contracts on London’s orbital M25 motorway.
    Read More
  • Road safety’s slow gain in Europe
    June 27, 2018
    Europe is seeing an improvement in road safety, but at a slower rate than hoped for. Official data shows that 25,250 people were killed in road crashes in the EU during 2017, a 2% drop from the figure recorded for 2016. Furthermore, road deaths have dropped just 3% in the last four years in the EU, with casualty reduction targets not being met. There are 32 countries listed in the PIN programme intended to cut road deaths and 22 of these nations did record improvements in road safety. Estonia managed to
    Read More
  • Road deaths: 'something must change' - GHSA
    March 4, 2024
    The ‘grim and tragic milestone' of a total four million deaths in the US requires renewed road safety action, says the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
    Read More

Highlighted Content