Use of Electronic Communication Devices by Canadian Drivers: Combined Urban/Rural Sites
Author(s): Jonah
Slidedeck Presentation Only:
Abstract:
Background/Context: The use of electronic communication devices (ECDs) such as cell phones, smart phones, and tablets by drivers has been found to increase the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes in a number of epidemiological studies. The use of ECDs by drivers has been measured periodically in observational surveys since 2006-2007. In the last urban and rural surveys in 2012-2013 , 4.4% of drivers were observed talking or typing/texting on these hand-held devices. The use of ECDs by drivers was observed more often at urban sites (4.6%) than at rural sites (3.5%).
Aims/Objectives: Given that most Canadian jurisdictions have increased fines and demerit points and some have introduced new penalties for using hand-held ECDs, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) was interested in whether there has been a change in the use of these devices by drivers since the last survey.
Methods/Targets: An observational survey was conducted at 294 urban sites during the Fall 2016 and at 250 rural sites during the Fall 2017 between 08:00 and 18:00. A total of 124,667 drivers of light duty vehicles were observed while stopped at a red light or stop sign. Whether they were using a hand-held ECD was recorded by observers as well as the type of usage (i.e., talking, typing/texting, both talking and typing/texting, or holding the device), driver's age and sex, number of passengers in the vehicle, and type of vehicle. For the first time since a 2009-2010 survey, the use of seat belts by front seat occupants was also observed.
Results/Activities: The results are presented nationally, by jurisdiction, and by various subgroups (i.e., age, sex, type of vehicle, number of passengers). Nationally, an estimated 7.2% of the drivers used an ECD in some manner, varying by jurisdiction from 2.5% to 11.2%. ECD usage was higher in urban areas (7.9%) compared to rural areas (3%), among young drivers (<25 years of age), female drivers, drivers of passenger cars and light trucks, drivers without passengers, and unbelted drivers. ECDs were used for talking by 2.9% of drivers, typing/texting by 2.2%, talking and typing/texting by 0.4%, and holding the device by 0.9%. Nationally, the use of hand-held ECDs for talking increased significantly from 2.3% in the 2012-2013 surveys to 2.9% in the 2016-2017 surveys, a relative increase of 26%. Typing/texting on the ECD also increased significantly from 1.6% during the 2012-2013 surveys to 2.2% during the current surveys, an increase of 38%. Seat belt use was found to have increased significantly from 92.7% in 2006-2007 to 97.2% in 2016-2017, an increase of 4.9%.
Discussion/Deliverables: The results of this research indicate that drivers' use of ECDs has increased from the 2012-13 survey to the 2016-17 despite efforts to curtail this usage through increased fines and demerit points as well as enforcement and awareness campaigns.
Conclusions: In order to reduce the use of ECDs by drivers, there is a need to strengthen enforcement and educational efforts. Further observational surveys would indicate the effectiveness of these efforts.