According to a new report from the CBC, distracted driving makes up eight out of every 10 collisions reported to insurance companies. The Insurance Bureau of Canada released a statement today warning drivers about the consequences of using a mobile device while behind the wheel.
In a statement, the bureau’s vice-president Amanda Dean said:
“If we’re in a vehicle where somebody is using their mobile device and texting and calling … tell them to put it down. It’s not worth it … that the danger they are putting you, themselves and other road users in.”
Dean agrees that there are many ways a driver can be distracted while on the road, however the most prevalent is the use of a mobile device. She also said that drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision if they are texting.
Insurance companies are also starting to look at the numbers and are taking the situation very seriously. A distracted driving offence could affect insurance coverage as some insurance companies are treating it in the same manner as impaired driving when they calculate rates.
