[Road Safety] Distracted driving fatalities up 38.7% in one year in British Columbia
Distracted driving is a major problem that continues to take a heavy toll, in British Columbia and across Canada. This report takes a look at the damage this growing phenomenon is doing on our roads.
Keep in mind
- The number of deaths related to distracted driving has increased by 38.7% in 1 year in British Columbia
- 29.15% of fatal collision in B.C. are caused by distracted driving, which makes it the most negatively affected province in Canada
- In 2021, 86 people died in B.C. as a result of distracted drivers - compared to 348 deaths across Canada
- Distracted people in B.C. face a minimum fine of $543 for a violation, one of the highest penalties in the country
Distracted driving is responsible for 29.15% of road fatalities in British Columbia
Distracted driving refers to any action that takes the driver's attention away from the road, causes him or her to let go of the wheel and divert attention from driving. This unfortunate phenomenon is the cause of many deaths in British Columbia, and since 2019 there is an upward trend. For the year 2021, 29.15% of deaths on B.C. roads were caused by distracted driving, compared to 25.08% in 2019.
Source: Government of British Columbia, ICBC
Good to know
Distracted driving does not only affect the distracted driver, fatalities also include other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
In 2021, 86 people died in British Columbia due to distracted driving
The consequences of distracted driving are unfortunately very real, as shown in B.C.'s 2021 report card. According to the data collected, 86 people died as a result of traffic crashes caused by distracted driving. That's 24 more deaths than in 2020, an increase of 38.7% in one year.
Source: Government of British Columbia, ICBC
In Canada, distracted driving is the second biggest cause of traffic deaths after speeding
Nationally, how much of a factor is distracted driving in road fatalities? 1,768 Canadians are estimated to have lost their lives in 2021 as a result of a fatal collision. Distracted driving would be responsible for 19.7% of road deaths nationally, or about 348 victims directly related to this infraction in that same year. In comparison, speed is responsible for 24.7% of fatal collisions, and 18% are caused by environmental factors (weather, roadway defects, adverse traffic conditions).
Source: Transport Canada (Government of Canada)
With a minimum fine of $543, British Columbia is among the strictest provinces for distracted driving
All Canadian provinces have legislative measures in the form of fines, demerits and licence suspensions to punish distracted driving. The following table shows the different penalties in the provinces of Canada:
| Province | Fine | Demerits | Licence suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $287 | 3 Demerits | No |
| British Columbia | $543 | 4 Demerits | Two or more infractions within 12 months can result in a 3-12 month prohibition |
| Prince Edward Island | $500 - $1 200 | 5 Demerits | No |
| Manitoba | $672 | 5 Demerits | First Conviction: 3-day suspension Subsequent offences: 7-day suspension |
| New Brunswick | $280 | 5 Demerits | No |
| Nova Scotia | First Conviction: $233.95 Second Conviction: $348.95 Subsequent Conviction: $578.95 | 4 Demerits | No |
| Ontario | First Conviction: $615 – $1,000 Second Conviction: $615 – $2,000 Subsequent Conviction: $615 – $3,000 | First Conviction: 3 Demerits Second Conviction: 6 Demerits Subsequent Conviction: 6 Demerits | First Conviction: 3-day suspension Second Conviction: 7-day suspension Subsequent Conviction: 30-day suspension |
| Quebec | $300 - $600 | 5 Demerits | First Conviction: 3-day suspension Second Conviction: 7-day suspension Subsequent Conviction: 30-day suspension |
| Saskatchewan | $580 | 4 Demerits | Penalties rise incrementally for second and third offences |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $300 - $1,000 | 4 Demerits | No |
Distracted driving is more than just texting
When driving, the sources of distraction are multiple and can be visual, manual, cognitive and auditory. These sources do not stop at simply sending a text message or email. For everyone's safety, when you are driving you must not be:
Source: Canada Drives
Methodology
In addition to its expert editorial line around insurance and financial products, HelloSafe explores broader topics relating to global consumption in Canada and around the world. The aim is to decipher certain complex subjects for consumers and to provide everyone with the latest information. It is within this framework that HelloSafe regularly carries out studies on trends relating to current personal finance in Canada.
This study compiles the most recent available statistics on the subject of distracted driving in British Columbia and Canada from sources such as Transport Canada, the government of British Columbia, the ICBC, Statistics Canada and the CAA.
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