CAA survey shows dangerous driving common on provincial roads

Lee Griffi, Editor

Nearly every Ontario driver has witnessed dangerous driving in the past year, but many do not believe they contribute to the problem, according to a new survey from CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO).

The survey found 96 per cent of Ontario drivers have observed dangerous driving behaviours, including speeding (78 per cent), aggressive driving (69 per cent), unsafe lane changes (68 per cent) and distracted driving (67 per cent).

However, only 57 per cent admit to engaging in at least one dangerous driving behaviour, revealing a disconnect between what drivers see on the road and how they assess their own actions. This number rises to 62 per cent among drivers aged 18 to 34.

"Most Ontario drivers can identify dangerous behaviours when they see them, but many don't realize they may be contributing to the problem themselves," says Michael Stewart, a community relations consultant from the CAA SCO. "The good news is that small changes in driver behaviour can make a big difference. By slowing down, staying focused and making safe choices behind the wheel, we can help create safer roads for everyone."

The Gazette reached out to the Oxford detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police for its thoughts on the survey. Const. Randi Crawford said local driving behaviour has become a growing concern, with police laying a high number of careless and dangerous driving charges. She said the trend reflects increasingly unsafe driving habits on local roads.

“Careless is the Highway Traffic Act high charge, with dangerous being an actual Criminal Code offence. We are getting to the point where people aren’t deterred by getting a ticket. When they continue to be disrespectful and disregard the rules of the road, they are acting in the criminal element.”

Crawford added the number of fatalities and injuries in the county can be attributed to a lack of

“A vehicle is a weapon and some drivers are hurting and even killing people. People need to realize how much of a privilege it is to drive – it isn’t a right. Vehicles are killing more people than guns. Drivers need to be mindful that when they get into a vehicle it is their responsibility to keep themselves and everyone around them safe.”

The threshold to move from a careless charge to a dangerous one depends on the situation, but Crawford said it isn’t difficult to distinguish the two.

“Careless could be when you are driving too close to the shoulder and catch the edge of a wheel and wind up in the ditch. Dangerous could be when you are speeding, passing a bunch of vehicles and driving recklessly and endangering those around you. It usually has a higher opportunity to cause bodily harm or death.”

In Ontario, using a hand-held cellphone while driving is considered distracted driving under the Highway Traffic Act. For drivers with a full licence, the penalty is a $615 fine if paid out of court. Crawford said the behaviour has become a habit for many drivers.

“I think people have almost become addicted. It’s almost like it's second nature and it’s a behaviour we all have to break. People are also distracted by a big meeting at work or the events of the weekend they need to prepare for. Drivers need to make sure that when they are driving, they are focused on where they are going and what they are doing.”

Crawford is also encouraging drivers to utilize hands-free options in their vehicles by installing a phone holder and using options like Android Auto by Google and Apple CarPlay.

Speeding remains the most common dangerous driving behaviour among Ontario drivers. More than one-third (38 per cent) admit to speeding, and more than half of those say they typically drive 10 to 19 km/h over the posted speed limit. Even relatively small speed increases can significantly raise both the risk and severity of collisions. Many drivers may also be unaware that speeding fines increase with the severity of the offence and can be doubled in designated community safety zones.

On the positive side, most Ontarians say they slow down when they realize they are speeding, suggesting awareness and education can play an important role in changing behaviour. According to the survey, 87 per cent of drivers support fines and penalties for speeding, while 37 per cent said those penalties influenced their driving behaviour over the past year.

A separate survey conducted by CAA SCO found 16 per cent of Ontario drivers have been involved in a collision caused by distracted driving, a number that has gradually increased in recent years. Rear-end collisions remain the most common type of crash associated with distraction, according to the study.

"Distracted driving is preventable, yet it continues to put lives at risk every day," says Stewart. "Whether it's checking a notification, interacting with in-vehicle technology or taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds, the consequences can be devastating. The safest choice is to stay focused on driving."