Distracted driving is responsible for 18% of road fatalities in New Brunswick
Distracted driving is a major problem that continues to take a heavy toll, in New Brunswick and across Canada. This report takes a look at the damage this growing phenomenon is doing on our roads.
Keep in mind
- In 2021, 18.02% of fatal collisions in New Brunswick were caused by distracted driving
- In 2021, 12 people died in New Brunswick as a result of distracted drivers - compared to 348 deaths across Canada
- With a minimum of $280 for a distracted driving violation, New Brunswick has one of the lowest fine in the country against that kind of behavior
In 2021, 12 people died in New Brunswick as a result of distracted drivers
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 major contributor of fatal collisions in New Brunswick and across Canada. However, New Brunswick seems to be one of the provinces least affected by distracted driving. For the year 2021, 18.02% of deaths on New Brunswick roads were caused by distracted driving, compared to 52.6% in Manitoba - which represents 12 deaths overall during 2021.
Source: SAAQ, Government of Ontario, Government of Alberta, Government of British Columbia, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, CBC, Radio Canada, Nova Scotia Transportation
Good to know
Distracted driving does not only affect the distracted driver, fatalities also include other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
New Brunswick's minimum fine doubled in 2021, but still among lowest in Canada
Legislation exists in all Canadian provinces prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving. All provinces have their own legislation and punishment for this type of infraction. However, the line chart below shows that the level of severity regarding distracted driving depends on the provinces . In 2021, the minimum fine in New Brunswick increased from $172.50 to $280 but remains among the lowest in the country.
Source: CAA National
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 |
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)
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 New Brunswick and Canada from sources such as Transport Canada, the government of New-Brunswick, Statistics Canada and the CAA.
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