What is distracted driving? A Canadian guide to risks, laws and real-time fixes

Distracted driving isn’t just another traffic offence. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of collisions and road fatalities in Canada. In 2023 alone, distracted driving was a factor in 17% of fatal crashes. These numbers suggest that drivers underestimate how quickly taking their attention off the road, even just for a second, can lead to serious collisions and injuries. In this guide, we’ll break down what distracted driving is, why it’s dangerous, provincial laws and practical ways you can remain alert and focus on the road.

What counts as distracted driving (definitions and examples)

Distracted driving constitutes any activity that takes your eyes, hands or thoughts off the road. It’s not just texting; it includes anything that interrupts your attention from safely operating a motor vehicle. It helps to think of distractions as three categories:

1. Visual distractions: Taking your eyes off the road ahead.

2. Manual distractions: Taking your hands off your steering wheel.

3. Cognitive distractions: Taking your mind off the task of driving.

Even a momentary glance away from the road can be hazardous. According to BCAA, research shows that a vehicle travelling at 100 km/h moves approximately 52 metres in just two seconds. That’s the length of a hockey rink! Let's take a closer look at some more examples:

Common grey areas

The following is also considered distracted driving:

• Hands-free devices: Hands-free devices are not risk-free. They still lead to a cognitive distraction that can affect your reaction time.

• Stopped at red lights: Even if you’re stopped at a red light, you’re still technically driving.

• Task-switching: Even a single tap on your phone or changing the radio can take your attention off driving.

Examples of distracted driving behaviours

The following are examples of distracted driving:

• Using your cell phone: Sending a text message, scrolling on social media, making a phone call or checking your notifications.

• Navigation: Use of in-vehicle navigation systems to enter destinations or reroute you.

• Cognitive distractions: Intense conversations, work phone calls and other forms of emotional stress.

• Manual tasks: Eating and drinking, adjusting your heat/AC, handling pets or interacting with your children.

Ultimately, if you’re unable to describe the last 10 seconds of your driving experience or what traffic was around you, your attention was not fully engaged.

Why driving distracted is dangerous: reaction time, distance and crash risks

Risky driving behaviours, like distracted driving, delay your detection of potential hazards, your decision-making and your ability to act correctly, which puts you at a greater risk of being involved in a serious car accident. Here's what you should know:

Distance travelled while being distracted

At city speeds of 50 km/h, a two-second glance away from the road covers approximately 26 metres, which is approximately two to three car lengths. When travelling on the highway, this increases to around 52 metres of distance. To put this into perspective, according to CAA, sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, which is similar to driving the length of a football field at 90 km/h with your eyes shut. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that using your cell phone while driving leads to 1.6 million collisions annually.

Types of car accidents linked to distractions

Distracted driving contributes to the following types of car accidents:

• Rear-end collisions.

• Lane departures.

• Intersection conflicts.

• Collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Why small errors can become severe consequences

When combined with factors like speed, poor weather conditions and vehicle mass, even a minor mistake can leave you with minimal time to correct your actions. At the same time, driving at night, heavy traffic flow and busy intersections all make it harder for you to respond, which can increase your risk of serious injury or even death, according to Transport Canada.

Canadian laws and penalties

In Canada, distracted driving laws exist across the country to protect drivers, passengers and vulnerable road users. While rules can vary depending on the province or territory you reside in, most regulations target certain behaviours that take your eyes, hands and mind off driving. Here’s a provincial breakdown of distracted driving laws:

Legal terms clarified

It's worth taking note of the following:

• Operating/care and control: Most Canadian provinces define operating or having care and control of a vehicle broadly. It doesn’t mean actively driving; it also means being stopped at a red light or stop sign or on the side of the road.

• In-traffic: Stopping in traffic also constitutes distracted driving. Even glancing at your phone while you’re waiting for the traffic light to change can still be illegal and considered a contributing factor if a motor vehicle crashes or another incident occurs.

Law enforcement

The reality is that police officers can issue careless driving and dangerous driving charges if your behaviour behind the wheel puts others at risk, even if the act itself isn’t explicitly listed in the legislation. The key takeaway here is that your safest option is to avoid any type of distracted driving task that removes your attention from driving, regardless of whether you’re using a hands-free device, glancing at your mobile phone for a few seconds, personal grooming or reaching for an item on the seat next to you.

Penalties, insurance and knock-on consequences

A 2010 Canadian Automobile Association study found that 85% of Canadians are more concerned about distracted driving than drunk driving when it comes to road safety. If you decide to break distracted driving laws and are caught by law enforcement, several consequences could occur:

Penalty categories

Here's what you should know about the categories of penalties:

• Fines: Monetary fine amounts vary depending on the province in which you are convicted. But distracted drivers can expect fines to range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

• Demerit points: Demerit points can affect your driving record and increase your car insurance premiums.

• License suspension: Repeat offenders and novice drivers may have their licenses suspended.

• Court costs: Should you decide to appeal your distracted driving penalty, you can expect to pay court costs, which can add up quickly.

Provincial breakdown

Penalties vary by province. Let's take a look:

Phones, watches and navigation: the biggest triggers

Drivers participating in distracted driving aren’t scrolling their FYP for long periods, they’re interacting briefly for a couple of seconds at a time. Unlocking your mobile phone, checking your notifications, sending a quick reply to a text message or adjusting the settings on your display screen are all common causes of many crashes in Canada. Read on to learn how you can prevent yourself getting distracted by your electronic devices:

Preventing distracted driving: practical tips

To focus on the road ahead, practice these practical prevention tips the next time you’re behind the wheel:

• Preprogram your destination: Before heading out, program your GPS and activate audio guidance to avoid distracted driving along the way.

• Do not disturb: Set do not disturb while driving or your phone’s focus mode to notify others that you are driving.

• Cell phone mount: Mount your phone high enough to minimize eye travel while behind the wheel.

• One-touch: Program one-touch shortcuts for actions you do frequently to avoid distracted driving.

As a rule of thumb, if your action takes more than a quick glance or tap, safely pull over to the side of the road to perform your task. Ultimately, by addressing your triggers and taking accountability, you can reduce distracted driving while you’re behind the wheel and contribute to road safety in Canada.

Non-phone distractions (food, pets, reaching)

Distracted driving is more than checking your mobile phone. Have a look:

Cabin distractions are more common than you think

Many drivers underestimate everyday distractions that don’t involve their cell phone. Here are some examples, as well as how you can prevent these distractions:

• Eating food or handling hot drinks.

• Spilling sauces.

• Looking through your bag.

• Adjusting your clothing.

• Applying makeup.

• Vaping or smoking.

Pets

Pets that are not safely secured in a kennel can jump, bark or pull on their seatbelt leashes, causing sudden distractions.

Reaching for things

It’s common for drivers to reach for items in their back seat, glove box or passenger side footwell, which can divert their attention away from the road ahead.

Practical tips

Here are some tips and tricks you can incorporate into your driving routine:

• Secure your pets in a crate or a harness.

• Keep all essentials near you.

• Use spill-proof bottles to avoid messy spills.

• Keep loose items in your bag or in your trunk at all times.

New-car tech and ADAS complacency

ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and anti-lock brakes in modern vehicles can help you stay safe behind the wheel. But you should never solely rely on these systems. Your car will never compensate your risky driving behaviours. You need to remain in control at all times. Remember to treat ADAS as a backup, not a substitute.

Prevention toolkit for everyday drivers (S.T.A.Y., 10–3–1)

Two distracted driving frameworks you can use to keep yourself safe and in control of your vehicle include:

S.T.A.Y framework

Keep these letters in mind when going about your drive:

1. (S)et Up: Preset your destination, music, climate and notification settings.

2. (T)ouch once: Perform single actions only. If an action requires more steps, pull over.

3. (A)sk for help: Ask your passengers for assistance handling tasks while travelling.

4. (Y)ield to safety: Slow down or stop if your attention wanders elsewhere.

10-3-1 rule

A simple rule to follow that can prevent crashes:

• 10 seconds: Scan the road ahead for hazards.

• 3 seconds: Maintain a 3 second following distance.

• 1 task: Driving comes first. Everything else can wait. Pull over safely if you absolutely need to.

Teens and novice drivers (family rules, GDL)

Teens and new drivers are more likely to engage in risk behaviours like distracted driving while operating a motor vehicle. To prevent these habits from developing:

• Family rules: Set up family rules with young, new drivers. Keep phones in glove boxes, preset navigation tools and limit the number of passengers travelling with them at all times.

• Graduated licensing program compliance: Most provinces restrict hands-free use for learners and drivers in the GDL programs.

• Coaching: Reward safe driving behaviours, model safe habits and practice defensive driving with your children.

Parents and caregivers (kid-proofing the cabin)

Young children can be distracting for parents while they’re driving. Whether it’s crying, arguing, snacking or climbing out of their seats, these instances can cause hazards and lead to distracted driving.

• Prep beforehand: Pre-open their snacks, keep wipes and drinks reachable and ensure toys are secured to car seats.

Safely pull over if your immediate attention is needed instead of driving distracted.

VRUs: cyclists and pedestrians at risk

Vulnerable road users like cyclists, pedestrians, e-bikes and children are harder to see and often move unpredictably. Distracted driving can increase your risk of collisions at intersections, crosswalks and bike lanes.

• Scan your surroundings constantly.

• Perform shoulder checks.

• Never roll through intersections or perform turns while looking at a device.

Canadian conditions that amplify risk

Weather conditions across Canada can be unpredictable and increase your risk while you’re on the road:

• Winter driving: Requires longer stopping distances due to snow, rainfall and ice.

• Low light conditions: Can cause glares on your windshield that reduce your visibility.

• Construction areas: The presence of construction materials, workers, confusing markings and lane closures can all be hazardous.

• Rural roadways: A lack of busy surroundings can increase the chances of your mind wandering and interactions with wildlife.

• Smoke/haze: Reduces your visibility and can cause fatigue.

To drive safely, reduce your speed, increase your following distance and eliminate distractions.

After a crash or near-miss (steps & habit change)

If you’ve been in an accident, you need to first, check for bodily harm and other road hazards before calling emergency services. Then, take some time to figure out what went wrong and what to watch out for next time you are on the road:

Reflection and habit changes

Growth starts with learning:

• Identify the tasks that lead to your distracted driving.

• Make your distractions less accessible. For example, keeping your phone out of reach.

• Replace distracted driving habits with safe alternatives like pulling over or asking a passenger for help.

Myths vs. reality

Some common myths many drivers admit to believing include:

• Myth: “I can multitask.”

• Reality: Switching tasks can lead to distracted driving.

• Myth: “Hands-free is safe.”

• Reality: Cognitive distractions can still impair your driving abilities.

• Myth: “ADAS has me covered.”

• Reality: These systems have limits and are not meant to replace safe driving habits.

• Myth: “Quick glances are no problem.”

• Reality: Even a quick glance can lead to severe crashes.

Contact BrokerLink today

Distracted driving is a year round concern, but particularly important during the holiday season as many people try to multi-task while behind the wheel. If you have questions on how distracted driving can affect your insurance, be sure to speak with a representative at your local BrokerLink branch. Be responsible and drive safe.

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