Do you check your phone while you drive?
A new poll from the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) suggests although 83 per cent of Albertans consider distracted driving a threat to their well-being, 26 per cent admit they are guilty of it. Another 85% of Alberta drivers witnessed someone using their phone while driving in the past year.
Other findings from the poll include 23 per cent of Albertans saying they’ve had to make an emergency manoeuvre to avoid a crash due to distracted driving in the past year, and 81 per cent of Albertans say they witnessed another driver using their phone at a red light or stop sign in the past year.
The AMA says the most common distractions come from things already built in to your vehicle such as information or infotainment systems, the vehicle console or voice-activated features. Still, there are always folks who think it’s okay to use their mobile phones behind the wheel.
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“Distracted driving is the leading cause of collisions in Canada, and our feature-rich vehicles are a growing contributor,” said vice president of advocacy and operations for AMA, Jeff Kasbrick.
“It’s important to remember that every case of distracted driving is preventable, so we urge people to do as much as they can before they drive. Whether it’s setting their destination or finding the perfect playlist, doing it ahead of time will help ensure your focus isn’t pulled from safe driving.”
The AMA has launched a campaign to address distracted driving in the province that it’s calling #BeforeYouDrive. The guiding principle behind the campaign is to ensure you do anything that may distract you before you shift your vehicle out of park.
The AMA says to follow these tips to avoid causing a crash:
- Set your playlist, podcast, safety features, whatever you can, before you drive.
- Set the digital route (GPS) and review directions before driving.
- Set your phone to do not disturb.
- Stow and secure loose objects.
- Avoid eating and drinking while driving.
–With files from Lisa Grant
