Featured Post from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: A new CAA study reveals over half of Ontario drivers have witnessed a close-call collision or traffic violation caused by distracted driving

Jun 27, 2024

3 min

Michael Stewart


A new study conducted by CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) shows that over half of Ontario drivers (66 per cent) have witnessed a close-call collision or traffic violation caused by distracted driving.


For many Ontarians, those close calls are fueling safety concerns. Ninety-one per cent of drivers in the province feel somewhat or very concerned about distracted driving, a number that remains unchanged from 2023.


“Distracted driving continues to be a leading factor in collisions on highways and city roads,” says Michael Stewart, community relations consultant for CAA SCO. “We continue to raise awareness of the risks associated with using your mobile device or in-vehicle technology while driving.”


Distracted driving has a direct impact on road safety


Ontario’s ban on using hand-held devices while driving has been in effect since October 2009. Despite this ban, distracted driving is still a common sight on our roads. The survey found that 63 per cent of Ontario Drivers have been behind a driver in another vehicle who missed a traffic light change because that driver was distracted.


"It takes only a split second of inattention to cause a close call or even a tragic collision. Staying focused behind the wheel is not just a personal responsibility but a crucial act of safety for everyone on the road,” adds Stewart.


The survey also found that 42 per cent of Ontario drivers stated that they had met the criteria for being distracted drivers in the past, with two per cent admitting to having been charged.


While there can be many distractions on the road, the top five most concerning distractions for those surveyed are:

1. Holding a mobile device

2. Watching TV

3. Making a video call

4. Grooming

5. Typing a destination into a GPS or navigation app


“Safe driving requires focus and concentration. It is always best to set up your navigation system and send your text messages before driving,” says Stewart, “Using this technology while driving is simply not worth the risk of potential charges and the danger it poses to both the driver and others on the road.”


Ontarians believe fines and penalties remain the most effective methods to combat distracted driving


Ontario drivers can face a minimum fine of $615 up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day licence suspension for their first conviction of distracted driving.


According to survey data, 60 per cent of drivers support increasing fines and penalties for distracted driving convictions – however, only 32 per cent were aware of all the penalties that come with your first conviction.


“As we continue to see a trend in these behaviours behind the wheel, we understand the public’s concern and desire for stronger repercussions,” says Stewart. “CAA SCO will continue to advocate for road safety through education and community member insights to help us create safer roads for all.”


For more information, please visit www.caasco.com/distracted 


DIG Insights conducted the survey from January 22 to February 5, 2024, as a follow-up to research to previous CAA reports. The online survey was conducted with 1,513 Ontario drivers aged 18 and older. Based on the sample size of n=1,513 and with a confidence level of 95%, the margin of error for this research is +/- 2%.)


Connect with:
Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart

Community Relations Consultant

Michael oversees CAA South Central Ontario's traffic safety outreach efforts.

SpeedingImpaired DrivingRoad User SafetyPedestrian SafetyRoad Safety
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CAA Club Group

MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Travel Insurance benefits provide travellers with enhanced coverage that better reflects today’s travel reality featured image

2 min

MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Travel Insurance benefits provide travellers with enhanced coverage that better reflects today’s travel reality

Ahead of the busy winter travel season, CAA Travel Insurance, a product of Orion Travel Insurance, is introducing several important coverage enhancements to provide broader protection, clearer benefits, and more support when travel plans are disrupted. Key coverage enhancements include: • Emergency medical coverage increased from $5 million to $10 million. • Expanded coverage for climate events and extreme weather. • A new CAA Flight Delay Benefit, to provide cash or lounge passes to travellers delayed two or more hours. • Broader Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage for major travel disruptions and unexpected personal circumstances. These updates reflect the changing travel realities that Canadians continue to navigate, including the rising costs of medical care. “Today’s travellers face a broad range of risks, from flight disruptions and extreme weather to unexpected medical emergencies and events at home,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, insurance, CAA South Central Ontario. “These updates deliver clearer benefits, broader protection and new forms of support to travellers when plans change unexpectedly.” The increase in emergency medical coverage reflects the continually rising cost of medical care while travelling abroad. Costs associated with everything from routine treatment to emergency transportation and air ambulance services have increased approximately 14 to 15 per cent annually since 2019. CAA’s expanded climate-related coverage introduces explicit policy language that clearly explains what coverage is available if a natural disaster impacts your destination accommodation, or if weather-related property damage at home disrupts your travel plans. In addition, eligible trip cancellation policies now include a new Flight Delay Benefit, providing an automatic benefit if your flight is delayed. Unlike a traditional expense-based reimbursement process, insured travellers will automatically receive a benefit when their insured flight is delayed by two or more hours, in the form of immediate payment or a lounge pass. CAA’s new Major Travel Disruption coverage addresses eligible flight cancellations or unannounced strikes, which are increasingly impacting travellers. New travel document protection covers stolen documents before departure, as well as documents that are lost or stolen at a destination. Other new covered situations include a stolen private vehicle, possible damage to a home or business, and additional occupancy costs when a travel companion interrupts their trip and the insured traveller continues as planned. “These updates are part of the ongoing optimization of CAA Travel Insurance coverage; intended to provide clearer benefits, broader protection and more support when travel plans change,” says Silverstein. “Travel insurance is not only about responding to major emergencies, it can also provide practical support during the more common situations travellers may experience while they are away from home.” CAA encourages travellers to review their policy, including its eligibility requirements, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, before departure. For more information about CAA Travel Insurance and coverage updates, visit: www.caasco.com/travelinsurance

MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Travel Insurance benefits provide travellers with enhanced coverage that better reflects today’s travel reality featured image

2 min

MEDIA RELEASE: New CAA Travel Insurance benefits provide travellers with enhanced coverage that better reflects today’s travel reality

Ahead of the busy winter travel season, CAA Travel Insurance, a product of Orion Travel Insurance, is introducing several important coverage enhancements to provide broader protection, clearer benefits, and more support when travel plans are disrupted. Key coverage enhancements include: • Emergency medical coverage increased from $5 million to $10 million. • Expanded coverage for climate events and extreme weather. • A new CAA Flight Delay Benefit, to provide cash or lounge passes to travellers delayed two or more hours. • Broader Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage for major travel disruptions and unexpected personal circumstances. These updates reflect the changing travel realities that Canadians continue to navigate, including the rising costs of medical care. “Today’s travellers face a broad range of risks, from flight disruptions and extreme weather to unexpected medical emergencies and events at home,” says Elliott Silverstein, director, government relations, insurance, CAA South Central Ontario. “These updates deliver clearer benefits, broader protection and new forms of support to travellers when plans change unexpectedly.” The increase in emergency medical coverage reflects the continually rising cost of medical care while travelling abroad. Costs associated with everything from routine treatment to emergency transportation and air ambulance services have increased approximately 14 to 15 per cent annually since 2019. CAA’s expanded climate-related coverage introduces explicit policy language that clearly explains what coverage is available if a natural disaster impacts your destination accommodation, or if weather-related property damage at home disrupts your travel plans. In addition, eligible trip cancellation policies now include a new Flight Delay Benefit, providing an automatic benefit if your flight is delayed. Unlike a traditional expense-based reimbursement process, insured travellers will automatically receive a benefit when their insured flight is delayed by two or more hours, in the form of immediate payment or a lounge pass. CAA’s new Major Travel Disruption coverage addresses eligible flight cancellations or unannounced strikes, which are increasingly impacting travellers. New travel document protection covers stolen documents before departure, as well as documents that are lost or stolen at a destination. Other new covered situations include a stolen private vehicle, possible damage to a home or business, and additional occupancy costs when a travel companion interrupts their trip and the insured traveller continues as planned. “These updates are part of the ongoing optimization of CAA Travel Insurance coverage; intended to provide clearer benefits, broader protection and more support when travel plans change,” says Silverstein. “Travel insurance is not only about responding to major emergencies, it can also provide practical support during the more common situations travellers may experience while they are away from home.” CAA encourages travellers to review their policy, including its eligibility requirements, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, before departure. For more information about CAA Travel Insurance and coverage updates, visit: www.caasco.com/travelinsurance

MEDIA RELEASE: 2026 CAA EV Circuit: EVs go the distance, but charging, efficiency and costs vary featured image

4 min

MEDIA RELEASE: 2026 CAA EV Circuit: EVs go the distance, but charging, efficiency and costs vary

The question for Canadians considering an EV may no longer be how far it can go, but how efficiently it uses energy, how quickly it charges and how much it costs to recharge. Results from the 2026 CAA EV Circuit found significant differences across vehicles in all three areas. “Range anxiety has long dominated the conversation about electric vehicles, but these results suggest the discussion can shift to more personalized considerations for drivers,” says Kaitlynn Furse, director, corporate communications, CAA Manitoba. “For many of today’s EVs, the question is becoming less about whether you can complete a trip and more about how efficiently you can make it, where you will charge, how long charging will take, and what it will cost.” All 22 electric vehicles participating in the CAA EV Circuit completed the same 230-kilometre route without needing to charge, including the vehicle with the shortest advertised range. A 15-minute charging test was completed at the end to capture further data. The route started in Blue Mountain, ON and ended in Vaughan, ON. On average, the vehicles used only 40 per cent of their battery charge over the route. EVs demonstrate a significant energy-efficiency advantage over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles The electric vehicles in the Circuit used the energy equivalent of approximately two litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. By comparison, the average Canadian passenger vehicle consumes roughly eight to 10 litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres. Energy consumption among the participating EVs ranged from 11.43 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres to 28.91 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres, illustrating the variation among vehicle sizes, weights and designs. A more efficient EV generally requires less electricity to travel the same distance, which can contribute to lower charging costs and less time spent charging. A notable finding was that the vehicles in the September 2026 CAA EV Circuit consumed approximately 40 per cent less energy, on average, than the vehicles evaluated during the February 2025 CAA EV Winter Test. While the tests were conducted under different conditions and with different vehicles, the difference highlights the significant impact that temperature can have on EV efficiency. A short charging stop can meaningfully extend a trip When it comes to charging experience, during the standardized 15-minute charging session, participating vehicles added an average of 110 kilometres of displayed range. Almost two-thirds of the vehicles added at least 100 kilometres, demonstrating that a brief charging stop can provide a meaningful boost during a longer journey. Results differed significantly among vehicles. The displayed driving range added during the 15-minute session varied from 58 kilometres to 178 kilometres. Charging performance can be affected by the vehicle, charger, battery temperature, battery state of charge and conditions at the time of charging. These results also highlight the effect of Canadian climate variations. Vehicles tested in the September 2026 CAA EV Circuit added approximately 15 per cent more displayed range during the charging session than the group evaluated during CAA’s 2025 EV Winter Test. “For Canadians planning longer drives, knowing a vehicle’s total range is only part of the equation,” continues Furse. “Drivers should also understand how their vehicle charges and recognize that the number of kilometres added during a stop can change depending on the vehicle and the charging conditions.” Public fast-charging costs are not the same for every EV The Circuit found that the average cost of a 15-minute charging session at the public fast chargers used in the test was $13.45, but individual vehicle results ranged from $7.28 to $24.39. All vehicles were charged at Tesla charging stations to ensure a consistent charging experience, so it is important to note that Teslas receive preferred pricing at Tesla charging stations. The test was designed to reflect a higher-cost road-trip charging scenario, using premium public fast chargers operating at full capacity. It does not represent the typical cost of powering an EV. CAA’s National EV Driver Survey found that public fast charging accounts for only eight to 18 per cent of charging, meaning most EV drivers generally charge under lower-cost circumstances like at home or work. “Just as Canadians compare fuel economy when buying a gasoline-powered vehicle, they should compare energy efficiency and charging performance when considering an EV,” says Furse. “Where and how often someone expects to charge can make a substantial difference to their experience and road-trip costs.” Complete vehicle findings and additional information about the 2026 CAA EV Circuit are available at 2026 CAA EV Circuit: Complete Vehicle Findings -30- About the CAA EV Circuit The CAA EV Circuit was conducted on September 16, 2026, with 22 electric vehicles travelling the same 230-kilometre route from Blue Mountain to Vaughan, Ontario, across city streets, rural roads and highways. Using a neutral data-driven methodology, all vehicles followed the same route, operated under consistent settings and participated in a standardized charging session. Performance data was collected throughout the drive and validated by CAA’s business intelligence and automotive experts. Data Snapshot Most kilometres gained in a 15-minute charging session Lucid Gravity, 178 km Hyundai IONIQ 5, 136 km Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC Electric, 135 km Cadillac LYRIQ, 131 km Nissan LEAF, 126 km Least kilometres gained in a 15-minute charging session Lucid Air, 58 km Chevrolet Equinox EV, 71 km Chevrolet Silverado EV, 80 km GMC HUMMER EV SUV, 90 km Tesla Model Y, 97 km Lowest cost per 100 kms of charge added Tesla Model 3, $7.28 Tesla Model Y, $8.23 Nissan LEAF, $10.13 Kia EV4, $10.25 Hyundai IONIQ 5, $10.68 Highest cost per 100 kms of charge added GMC HUMMER EV SUV, $24.39 Chevrolet Silverado EV, $19.05 Rivian R1T, $17.85 Tesla Cybertruck, $15.61 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, $15.48 Lowest energy consumption (kWh/100 km) Toyota bZ 11.43 kWh Tesla Model Y 11.81 kWh Tesla Model 3 11.85 kWh Kia EV4 11.89 kWh Nissan LEAF 12.48 kWh Highest energy consumption (kWh/100 km) Lucid Gravity 28.91 kWh GMC HUMMER EV SUV 23.55 kWh Tesla Cybertruck 23.41 kWh Rivian R1T 19.96 kWh Cadillac LYRIQ 19.1 kWh

View all posts
Powered by