Canadians see increase in dangerous driving during pandemic: survey
by CM Staff
A majority of Canadians are reporting an increase in dangerous driving amid COVID-19
PHOTO: Floydian, via Wikimedia Commons
OTTAWA — A majority of Canadians (59%) are reporting an increase in dangerous driving while COVID-19 restrictions have been in place, according to a new poll by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) released July 2.
“These numbers are concerning,” said Ian Jack, vice-president of public affairs, CAA National, in a prepared statement. “It doesn’t matter if you are going for a 5-minute trip to the store, or a 30-minute scenic drive, keeping each other safe on and around our roads should always be top of mind.”
Speeding drivers top the list, with 44% of Canadians saying they saw someone speeding in the last few months. Other observed behaviours include: aggressive driving, drivers using or talking on their phones behind the wheel, and reckless driving.
“In the last few months, we have seen fewer cars on our roads, and more cyclists and pedestrians, who are most at risk when drivers are speeding and distracted behind the wheel,” Jack said.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents said they had been driving less since COVID restrictions were put in place, and among Canadians who cycle at all, 30% said they had increased the activity during COVID-19.
The latest CAA findings are based on a poll of 2,824 Canadians carried out from June 5 to 16, 2020. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-1.84%, 19 times out of 20.
