Travelers Canada offers a detailed look into Canada’s distracted driving issue

To learn more about how distracted driving became such a huge issue in Canada, Insurance Business approached Paul Stone, vice president of distribution and sales at Travelers Canada. Stone gives us his insights into what may be causing the increase in reckless driving behaviours, and what the company is doing to combat the growing risk.

Travelers Canada’s latest distracted driving survey found that two-thirds (66 per cent) of drivers are engaging in dangerous behaviours behind the wheel. What do you think is causing this rise in dangerous driving?

While there are many factors that contribute to distracted driving, the 2022 Travelers Canada Distracted Driving Risk Survey revealed that work-related pressures are a contributing cause. Nearly one-third (29 per cent) of Canadian employees surveyed said they respond to work-related calls, texts or emails while driving.

The top three reasons given for this dangerous behaviour were thinking it might be an emergency (44 per cent), feeling they always need to be available (30 per cent) and fearing they will miss something important (28 per cent).

How has the pandemic impacted driving behaviours?

While it’s hard to say if there is a direct correlation between the pandemic and dangerous driving behaviours, reduced traffic volume did lead to some risky behaviours on the road, particularly during lockdowns, when fewer people were behind the wheel.

According to data from the Ontario Court of Justice, from April 2020 to March 2021, the number of speeding tickets issued jumped to 752,935, an increase over the typical 12-month average of about 506,000. There was also a 550 per cent spike in stunt driving/racing in Toronto and police issued 23 stunt-driving charges from April 1-20, 2019, while they issued 12,270 charges over the same period in 2020.

This increase in dangerous behaviours on the road didn’t go unnoticed by other drivers. According to the 2022 Travelers Canada Distracted Driving Risk Survey, one in five (22 per cent) drivers believe the roads have become less safe, nearly three times the proportion (8 per cent) of drivers who believe they have become safer.

Our survey also highlighted a disconnect in how people view their own behaviour on the roads. While most respondents claimed they take every step possible to avoid being distracted, 66 per cent admitted to frequently or sometimes talking or using a hands-free phone while driving, and more than half (54 per cent) said they follow directions or read a map while behind the wheel. Alarmingly, one in five drivers admitted they have had a crash, collision or near miss because they were distracted.

Now that traffic is returning to pre-pandemic levels, students are back in school and many Canadians are still navigating changing work schedules, it’s especially important to remember to slow down and stay focused on the road by eliminating distractions.

What role do passengers have in correcting drivers’ dangerous behaviours?

Passengers can play an important role in convincing drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road. Our survey found that distracted drivers are more likely to correct their behaviour when passengers speak up, with the majority (86 per cent) of respondents who use a phone while driving claiming they would be less likely to do so if a passenger spoke up against it.

It is important to note, though, that the likelihood of passengers addressing distracted driving behaviours also depends on their relationship with the driver. For example, 35 per cent of Canadians have spoken up to a spouse or partner, and 23 per cent have mentioned it to a friend. However, only 7 per cent have spoken up to a co-worker, and just 2 per cent have addressed this with a boss or manager. This highlights just how critical it is to have conversations around distracted driving and to hold each other accountable. The more we talk about it, the greater the chance we have of making a difference.

How can business owners support safe driving?

Regular and clear communication is essential when it comes to having an established workplace driving policy. In fact, our research found that most drivers (87 per cent) whose employers have an official distracted-driving policy comply with it.

In addition to establishing and reinforcing a safe driving policy, managers are in the best position to promote safe driving practices and the expected behaviours of those who drive for any business purpose. They can take steps to understand who is following these policies and actively reinforce the desired behaviour.

Managers can also lead by example by taking preventive measures when driving, such as pulling over to use a phone, asking a passenger to handle technology-related tasks or by avoiding making calls or texting when behind the wheel.

What is Travelers Canada doing to help combat distracted driving? What can brokers do to help?

Travelers Canada is helping raise awareness of this issue with policyholders and providing resources to our brokers.

Currently, we offer IntelliDrive®, a usage-based auto insurance mobile app that rewards safe driving behaviours, which, in turn, helps to create safer roadways for everyone. The app collects and assesses data such as speed, rapid acceleration, hard braking, distractions and what time of day the customer drives. Safe driving habits may result in a premium decrease of up to 30 per cent, while riskier ones may result in an increase of up to 10 per cent.

Brokers can also help encourage their customers to think about how to reduce risky behaviour behind the wheel by providing best practices to business owners for implementing a safe driving policy or by encouraging participation in programs such as IntelliDrive.

In addition, Travelers Canada offers several resources and safety tips found under the Prepare and Prevent tab on the Travelers.ca website that can be shared to help individuals avoid accidents, reduce the risk of distracted driving and help teach new drivers about road safety.