Featured Post from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: As CAA launches annual Worst Roads campaign, new survey data reveals that 71 per cent of Ontarians are concerned with road conditions

Mar 28, 2019

3 min



        

A study conducted ahead of CAA’s Worst Roads campaign underscores how Ontarians feel about the state of their roads. Seventy-one per cent of those surveyed say they are concerned about the condition of roads, while 60 per cent of respondents don’t believe that roads are being repaired in a timely manner.

 

The data reinforces the campaign’s importance, says Raymond Chan, government relations specialist for CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO). “The simple act of participating in the CAA Worst Roads campaign can help various levels of government understand what roadway improvements are top of mind for road users, and where improvements could be prioritized.”  

 

The study also found that while most regularly see roads in need of repair, 67 per cent of respondents stated they took no action to get them repaired. The CAA Worst Roads campaign is designed to be an easy forum for Ontarians to engage and take action on issues that impact them.

 

“We want to know what roads are seen as pain points for Ontarians. Whether the issue is congestion, potholes, road signage or challenges around pedestrian and cycling safety, CAA wants to hear from you," says Chan.

 

Investing in infrastructure improvements, including the proper maintenance of roads and bridges, is important to the vitality of local communities. CAA continues to advocate for longer-term dedicated infrastructure funding to help municipalities prepare, plan, budget and execute on repair backlogs and capital projects. 

 

Repaving and repair work has been completed on many of the roads that have appeared on Ontario’s CAA Worst Roads list. Some examples include:

 

Burlington St. E., Hamilton

This Hamilton road has appeared on the annual list since 2008. It received the dubious honour of Ontario's Worst Road in both 2017 and 2018, thanks in part to potholes and crumbling pavement.  A total of $3.3 million has been allocated to resurface and replace the lower part of Burlington St. E. with fresh pavement in 2018/2019.

 

Duckworth St., Barrie

This Barrie roadway claimed the third spot in the 2018 campaign.

The first phase of a $10.3M reconstruction of Duckworth St. began last fall and the second phase will begin this spring. Improvements of Duckworth St. between Melrose Ave. and Bell Farm Rd. are planned for completion in 2020.


Dufferin St., Toronto

Topping the list from 2012 to 2014, Toronto’s Dufferin St. has continued to appear on the Top 10 list of Ontario’s Worst Roads. As part of the City of Toronto’s Capital Works Program, Dufferin St. from Dundas St. W. to Bloor St. W. was repaved and sections of damaged curb and sidewalk were replaced.

 

CAA SCO is calling on Ontarians to vote for their Worst Road today and join the community of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians committed to improving Ontario’s roads.

 

Nominations for CAA’s Worst Roads can be cast at caaworstroads.com until April 26. To encourage participants to act on their concerns, they will be entered into a grand prize draw to win free gas for a year, or one of 10 secondary prizes.

 

Once voting closes, CAA will compile a list of the 10 worst roads in Ontario, along with the worst roads in regions across the province. The regional top five lists will help shine further light on the state of local roads in municipalities across Ontario.

 

CAA will present the list of 2019 Worst Roads to local and provincial officials to help inform future funding and planning decisions.





About the Survey

This study was conducted online by Campaign Research between February 15-20, 2019 among a sample of 1,515 Ontario residents who were 18 years of age or older. A probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of +-2.5% 19 times out of 20.

 

About CAA South Central

As a leader and advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of 2 million members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with communities, police services and government to help keep drivers and their families safe while travelling on our roads.

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CAA Club Group

1 min

STORY: CCG Raises Over $300,000 in Support of Hope

Pictured above, from left to right: Jay Woo, President and CEO of CAA Club Group of Companies & Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer of Hope Air. CAA Club Group of Companies President and CEO Jay Woo made a cheque presentation of over $300,000 to Hope Air on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The cheque presentation, which included funds raised from two golf events, the first-ever Jaunt for Hope Air and a handful of other initiatives, took place at the CAA offices in Thornhill with volunteers, board members, and several senior leaders from CCG, as well as representatives from Hope Air. "The success of these events highlights the power of collaboration,” says Jay Woo, President and CEO of CAA Club Group of Companies. "Thanks to the unwavering support of our associates and sponsors, we’re able to raise substantial funds that go directly to Hope Air, helping provide vital travel assistance to Canadians in need of medical care. This is what happens when a community unites for a common cause: we create hope, foster change, and build a legacy of compassion." CCG's support for Hope Air began when Jay started volunteering his personal time to fly patients from northern Ontario into Toronto for medical treatment. Since then, CCG has rallied behind Hope Air's lifesaving work by raising over $2.2 million, which provides direct support to over 22,000 patient families.

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Study Sheds Light on Edible Cannabis and Collision Risk Among Young Drivers

A recent study with funding support from CAA, conducted by the University of Saskatchewan, examined 50 drivers aged 19 to 30 to assess how consuming edible cannabis influences collision risk among young drivers. This demographic, which is known for having a higher tendency to engage in risky driving behaviour, currently holds the highest crash rates nationwide. “This study marks an important first step in understanding how cannabis edibles impact driving performance,” says Michael Stewart, Community Relations Consultant for CAA South Central Ontario. “Too often, decisions about whether someone is fit to drive are made in the moment, relying on judgment rather than evidence. Cannabis impairment studies like this are essential. Each one brings new learnings that help us refine our approach and ensure that safety is never left to chance.” The findings indicate that critical driving skills, including reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control, were impaired. Consumption times may vary to feel the effects of edible cannabis from driver to driver. However, the study found that impairment was most evident at 90 minutes after consumption, so its effects may not be noticeable until a motorist is already behind the wheel. When asked if they felt safe to drive after consuming edibles, only four per cent felt safe getting behind the wheel 90 minutes after eating an edible cannabis product. What is interesting about this is that in a controlled environment, young drivers feel unsafe driving under the influence of cannabis. However, a recent survey of 1,510 Ontario drivers from CAA SCO shows that drivers often have a false sense of confidence when they have driven high in the past. The perception of safety doesn’t match reality The survey found that the number of people admitting to cannabis-impaired driving in Ontario (nearly 20 per cent) has remained stable compared to last year. However, a concerning trend has emerged, with more cannabis-impaired drivers (78 per cent) saying they are confident in their driving abilities while under the influence – a 13 per cent overall increase from 2021. Why is this concerning? The perception of safety doesn’t match reality. More than a third of cannabis-impaired drivers acknowledged feeling high while driving, relying on their personal judgment for signs of impairment, such as drowsiness, slowed reaction time, or brain fog. “This misplaced confidence can lead to dangerous decisions, increasing the risk of collisions and endangering road users,” adds Stewart. “We must recognize that getting behind the wheel is not just a personal choice it’s a responsibility that affects the safety of everyone on our roads.” Growing issue of poly-use The research also points to a growing issue of poly-use, or the consumption of multiple substances and is on the rise. This trend adds another layer of complexity to road safety efforts, as the combined effects of different substances can further impair judgment and reaction times. Most respondents (57 per cent) say they consume cannabis in combination with other substances – most commonly, alcohol. However, painkillers, psilocybin, ecstasy, and MDMA are on the rise. CAA SCO continues to advocate for safer roads by encouraging motorists to make responsible choices. The message is clear: do not get behind the wheel when impaired. “While we’re all aware that alcohol-impaired driving can be dangerous, we should also take the same attitude towards cannabis-impaired driving,” says Stewart. “With the holiday season coming up, cannabis can be consumed legally and responsibly but should never be used when driving.” CAA is asking that those who do consume cannabis, alcohol or other drugs to plan ahead by making alternate arrangements, such as a designated driver or using a rideshare service, to get home safely this holiday season. Methodology The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from June 27 to July 14, 2025, with 1,510 Ontario drivers aged 19 and older. Based on the sample size of n=1,510 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/- 2%.) Methodology of the University of Saskatchewan study The study collected extensive data from 50 young adult drivers (aged 19–30), resulting in 250 assessments across multiple realistic driving scenarios using a simulator after consuming a 10mg THC edible.

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Survey Reveals Substance Use, Particularly Cannabis, is on the Rise Both Recreationally and Behind the Wheel

New findings from a recent survey conducted by CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) highlight a concerning trend: substance use, particularly cannabis, is on the rise both recreationally and behind the wheel. “Cannabis is more accessible than ever, and that means more Manitobans are not only choosing to drive after consuming it but are also getting behind the wheel soon after and expressing increased confidence in their ability to do so,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government & community relations for CAA Manitoba. The data shows that 24 per cent of drivers admitted to consuming cannabis before driving, which is up six per cent from last year, while ten per cent of Manitobans reported driving after consuming cannabis in the past few months, a three per cent increase from 2024. Among cannabis-impaired drivers, most (63 per cent) say they drove within three hours of consumption, which is up 10 per cent from last year. Over a third of cannabis-impaired drivers acknowledged feeling high while driving. In addition to the survey conducted by CAA MB, a recent study with funding support from CAA, conducted by the University of Saskatchewan, examined 50 drivers aged 19 to 30 to assess how consuming edible cannabis influences collision risk. This age group of young drivers, identified as having the highest crash rates and a greater tendency toward risky driving behaviour, offers new insights into the impact of cannabis on driving. Drivers often have a false sense of confidence when driving high. This study examined how consuming edible cannabis affects collision risk. Findings indicate that critical driving skills, including reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control, were impaired even shortly after consumption. Contrary to popular belief that cannabis edibles take hours to take effect, this study shows that impairment is evident 90 minutes after consumption. When asked if they felt safe to drive after consuming edibles, only four per cent felt safe getting behind the wheel 90 minutes after eating an edible cannabis product. What is interesting about this is that in a controlled environment, young drivers feel unsafe driving under the influence of cannabis. However, the study conducted by CAA MB shows that drivers often have a false sense of confidence when they have driven high in the past. “This study marks an important first step in understanding how cannabis edibles impact driving performance,” adds says Friesen. “Too often, decisions about whether someone is fit to drive are made in the moment, relying on judgment rather than evidence. Cannabis impairment studies like this are essential. Each one brings new learnings that help us refine our approach and ensure that safety is never left to chance.” According to CAA Manitoba’s data, more drivers have reported feeling confident in their driving ability (77 per cent), which is up ten per cent from 2024. More drivers this year (33 per cent) also say that they are unsure about how much cannabis is needed for effects to kick in, up six per cent from 2024. Alarmingly enough, more than half of Manitobans are unaware that the penalties associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances are the same. “Drivers may face enhanced roadside sanctions, including an administrative penalty of $700, vehicle impoundment, mandatory Ignition Interlock participation for one year, an impaired driver assessment and movement of 10 levels down the Driver Safety Rating scale,” says Friesen. “Depending on the severity of convictions, impaired drivers may be charged further under the Criminal Code of Canada.”  This holiday season, CAA Manitoba is asking that those who do consume cannabis, alcohol or other drugs to plan ahead by making alternate arrangements, such as a designated driver or using a rideshare service, to get home safely.   Methodology CAA MB The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from June 27 to July 14, 2025, with 514 Manitoba drivers aged 19 and older. Based on the sample size of n=514 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/- 3%.) Methodology of University of Saskatchewan study The study collected extensive data from 50 young adult drivers (aged 19–30), resulting in 250 assessments across multiple realistic driving scenarios using a simulator after consuming a 10mg THC edible.

View all posts
Powered by