A new survey from CAA South Central Ontario suggests there’s a significant gap between what Ontario drivers see on the road and what they’re willing to admit doing themselves.
The survey found that 96 per cent of Ontario drivers reported witnessing some form of dangerous driving over the past year. Speeding topped the list at 78 per cent, followed by aggressive driving at 69 per cent, unsafe lane changes at 68 per cent and distracted driving at 67 per cent.
However, when asked about their own driving habits, only 57 per cent admitted to engaging in at least one dangerous driving behaviour. That number increased to 62 per cent among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34.
Speeding continues to be the most commonly admitted offence. The survey found that 38 per cent of respondents acknowledged driving over the speed limit, with more than half of those drivers saying they typically travel between 10 and 19 kilometres per hour above the posted limit.
The survey also found strong public support for traffic enforcement. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents said they support the current fines and penalties for speeding, while 37 per cent said those penalties influenced their driving behaviour over the past year.
Distracted driving remains a major concern across the province. According to the survey, 16 per cent of Ontario drivers have been involved in a collision caused by distracted driving. CAA notes that the number has been increasing in recent years, with rear-end collisions remaining the most common type of crash linked to distracted driving.
