Texting Surpasses Drunk Driving as Top Safety Concern

11:48 am on November 16, 2010 | Category: Cell Phones, Messaging, Mobile Devices, Regulation

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Canadians now view texting behind the wheel as a bigger safety concern than drinking and driving, according to a new survey by the Canadian Automobile Association.

88% of the 6,000 people surveyed ranked texting and driving as a “very serious” threat, compared to 83% who said the same about drinking and driving.

“It signals a sea shift for people,” commented CAA spokesman, Ian Jack. “It’s part of Canadian culture now that, for almost everyone, you don’t get impaired and get behind the wheel of a car. The message hasn’t sunk in yet that it’s a really bad idea to be looking at your wireless device while driving.”

Seven of the ten Canadian provinces have implemented legislation that prohibits texting while driving, but these laws have been ineffective in that the practice is still widespread, particularly among younger drivers.

Other leading safety concerns include talking on the phone while driving, which 65% of respondents ranked as a “very serious” threat, driving while tired (61%), aggressive driving (55%), and excessive speeding (51%).

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    1. Great, now fat MADD people can all collect pay while going after the text messengers. After all, what were they going to do once they got the alcohol limit to a ridiculous 0? I mean, it’s basically a ridiculous .05 now, even though statistics show the majority of the problem to be at double the old .08 limit. Go Madd Go…not. Ridiculous and extreme.

      Yes, people should not text and drive any more than watch a movie and drive obviously but the alcohol extreme is causing the masses to be locked up at home and socialization has plummeted. On top of it, it is the one offense where people are presumed guilty by the police with no way to defend themselves. And they are guilty of a major criminal offense without having caused any damage.

      Hide in your homes everyone, that’s where we’re headed. Keep going MADD.

      Comment by gfinale — November 16, 2010 #

    2. I see this every morning all the way to work and all the way back.
      It is completely out of control.
      When I finally pass them (usually because they have almost hit a power pole or are doing 40 in a 70 zone) they look at me is if I have done something wrong to them.

      Comment by Jason Tonks — November 16, 2010 #

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