High school students across Canada were out in force at busy intersections across Canada, working with Allstate Agents to catch distracted drivers – and the adults weren’t setting a very good example.
Over a one-hour period, students in 11 Canadian cities observed 11,801 morning commuters, and a whopping 39 per cent of drivers observed were engaging in some form of distraction behind the wheel.
“Through our annual Just Drive campaign initiatives, Allstate's been working to shine a spotlight on the issue,” says Ryan Michel, Vice President for
Allstate Canada, “and educate teens on how dangerous distracted driving behaviours are, and how prevalent they continue to be on our roads.”
While distracted driving continues to be a hot topic with increased media attention and talk of stiffer distracted driving laws across the country, today's tally reveals that Canadian drivers are struggling, or reluctant to give up their distractions.
Allstate created the national tally event to demonstrate to students that distracted driving is still a problem. (continued.)
What Canadian city had the most distracted drivers? See page 2
#pb#
Results from driver tally
At eight per cent, eating or drinking was the most common distraction observed, followed by:
• seven per cent talking to a passenger;
• five per cent smoking;
• three per cent talking on a phone;
• three per cent texting;
• three per cent grooming;
• two per cent searching for an object in the car;
• one per cent using electronic device (such as: GPS, video, gaming system, adjusting dials);
• The most unusual distraction observed was a driver playing with their dog;
• Toronto had the fewest number of distracted drivers with only 15 per cent of drivers observed driving distracted; and
• Edmonton was the community with the most distracted drivers, with 88 per cent of drivers seen driving with distractions.
In addition, Allstate has brought back the
Just Drive Canada Contest for a third year, giving young Canadians a platform to speak out against distracted driving.
High school students across the country are invited to enter the contest by creating and uploading (to the
justdrivecanada.ca website) a video, audio or image giving distracted drivers a piece of their mind.
Students have until November 14 to submit their entry for a chance to win cash prizes for themselves and their schools – and it is an excellent opportunity for brokers to reach out to clients with teenage children to get them involved – and raise their awareness – and on the perils of distracted driving.
