Winnipeg, MB- Concern was raised the other day when one of our drivers was side swiped by a driver texting on their phone. Thankfully all parties were fine- but rose concern to how many people are still using their phones without consequence. I was urged to research the facts our distracted driving and what our industry is doing to reduce this problem.

There are many new simulators, and information surrounding distracted driving, but upon further research the one I found most significant was CAA’s Distracted Driving simulator (http://distracteddriving.caa.ca/). It was thought provoking to see the magnitude of our behaviours in the car. Since July of 2010- the new law states that Manitobans will be fined upwards to $200 and lose 2 demerits for using a mobile device while operating a vehicle and this may be why:

• Cell phones are one of the most common distractions for drivers. Drivers engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2010)
• 84% of distracted-driving-related fatalities in the US were tied to the general classification of carelessness or inattentiveness (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009)
• 80% of collisions and 65% of near crashes have some form of driver inattention as contributing factors (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010)
• Distracted drivers are 3 times more likely to be in a crash than attentive drivers (Alberta Transportation, 2011)
• Driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million motor vehicle crashes in North America each year
• Economic losses caused by traffic collision-related health care costs and lost productivity are at least $10 billion
• In 2010, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 104 collision fatalities in British Columbia (RCMP)

We also wanted to provide you with what our car manufacturers are working on in order to diminish the effects of these habits. That being said- we wish everyone safe travels on the road this spring and summer.