Canadians highlight aggressive driving as a top road safety threat, CAA poll finds
OTTAWA – Canadians see aggressive driving as a serious threat to their safety on the road, rivalling impaired and distracted driving, according to new polling released today by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Empty roads during the pandemic sparked reports of more aggressive driving, but the trend continues to worry Canadians.
CAA asked Canadians to report what driving behaviours they see as a serious threat to their safety. The top 10 serious threats of 2021 are:
- People driving after drinking alcohol (93%)
People driving after using illegal drugs (93%)
Drivers running red lights (93%) - People using their phones while driving (92%)
- People driving aggressively (92%)
- Sleepy drivers (92%)
- Drivers speeding on residential streets (91%)
- People driving well over the speed limit (90%)
- People driving after using cannabis (85%)
- Drivers speeding on freeways (80%)
- People engaging with their in-car technologies (67%)
- People driving after taking prescription drugs (64%)
The latest CAA findings are based on a poll of 2,009 Canadians carried out from November 24 to December 2, 2021. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.19%, 19 times out of 20. Over 600 participants from the prairie provinces participated in the survey, with approximately 150 from Saskatchewan.
“Despite roads starting to fill up again, aggressive driving is still a major concern for Canadians,” said Ian Jack, CAA vice president of public affairs.
More than 90 percent of Canadians also said a leading cause of distraction - people using their phones while driving - is a serious threat to their safety. In the same CAA survey, Canadians admitted to having done at least one distracting activity while driving. Transport Canada’s latest numbers reveal that distracted drivers are at fault in more than 1 in 5 fatal collisions, surpassing impaired driving.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was also seen as a top threat to Canadians’ safety. But, among the good news findings, the vast majority of Canadians (93 per cent) said it is important to have alternative travel arrangements after consuming alcohol. And 87 per cent of Canadians said it is important to have alternative travel arrangements after consuming cannabis.
“At any time of year, but especially during the holidays, we all want and deserve to get home safe and sound. We urge everyone to make safe decisions – plan ahead and keep your focus on the road,” said Christine Niemczyk, director of corporate communications with CAA Saskatchewan.
About CAA
CAA is a non-profit federation of eight Clubs providing over six million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure, and consumer protection. CAA was named Canada’s most trusted brand in 2021 by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.
For further comment, or to book an interview, please contact:
Murielle Pierre
Manager, Public Affairs
CAA National
613.298.1201
mpierre@national.caa.ca
Christine Niemczyk,
Director, Corporate Communications
CAA Saskatchewan
306.791.4327
christine.niemczyk@caask.ca