BCAA's Distracted Driving Survey Suggests Majority of Drivers no longer using Hand-held Devices

Last month, BCAA asked e-Letter subscribers to take part in a survey soliciting their views on whether or not the new distracted driving law that restricts the use of hand-held communications devices (cell phones, Blackberries, mp3 players) while driving has influenced a change in their behaviour and the behaviour of other drivers.

BCAA’s Distracted Driving survey was conducted between June 22 and July 9, with 7,576 drivers participating. The result was one of the largest survey responses we’ve ever had, and we thank everyone who took time to register their opinions.

We have shared the results of the survey with police, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles for their review in assessing enforcement and opportunities for continued public education and awareness.

Okay, here’s the good news. Almost all drivers surveyed are aware of B.C.’s distracted driving law implemented January 1, and the vast majority of those who previously talked or texted on a hand-held phone while driving now use hands-free, pull over to take or make a call, or have stopped using a cell phone while driving altogether.

The bad news? Survey respondents said they frequently see others continuing to drive while holding a phone to their ear, and feel that the likelihood of being caught for doing so is low.

Before and after comparisons:

• Of the two-thirds of drivers who said they talked on a cell phone while driving before the January 1 law, 84% said they did so using a hand-held phone.
• Of the drivers who previously used a hand-held phone before January 1, 21 per cent said they have switched to hands-free, 35 per cent said they now pull over to make or take a call, and 28 per cent said they have stopped using a phone while driving altogether.
• Nine per cent said they were using a hands-free device before the law and continue to do so.
• Only six per cent said they still talk using a hand-held phone, but most do so less than before the law.

What you see other drivers doing:

• On the flip-side, 77 per cent of survey respondents said they still observe other drivers talking on a hand-held phone more than once a week
• 37 per cent said they see drivers texting on a hand-held device more than once a week.
• Three quarters of those surveyed said they feel the chances of being caught for texting or talking on a hand-held while driving is either unlikely or very unlikely.

Other findings:

• Before January 1, 16 per cent of those surveyed texted while driving. After January 1, of those who previously texted while driving, 51 per cent said they no longer do so and 32 per cent said they pull over to read or send a text. 18 per cent said they continue to text while driving, but less than before.
• Reading a book or newspaper, or texting using a cell phone or PDA, were cited by survey respondents as the most dangerous driver distractions - followed by personal grooming, talking on a hand-held phone and holding a pet in your lap.
• 71 per cent say they see others eating or drinking more than once a week, 41 per cent say they see someone holding a pet in their lap more than once a week and 34 per cent say they see others performing personal grooming (styling hair, shaving, applying make-up) more than once a week.
• Only two per cent of survey respondents admitted to either personal grooming or holding a pet in their lap, more than once a week.
• A majority of survey respondents think the government has done a good job of publicizing the distracted driving law:
• 59 per cent said they feel the government's efforts to inform and educate drivers about the law have been effective or very effective, while
• 54 per cent said the government's efforts to educate drivers about the dangers of talking using a hand-held device has been effective or very effective.