The Ontario Provincial Police announced last week that the number of fatal collisions caused by distracted driving has increased by more than compared to the same period in 2023. Sixty-three (21 per cent) of the 296 fatal crashes in the province so far in 2024 were caused by distracted driving. In contrast, a year ago at this time 43 (15 per cent) of 287 fatalities had distracted driving as the primary cause.
Some were shocked. Horrified, sure, but shocked? That’s like going for a walk in the woods after slathering yourself in honey and being shocked when bears attack. That’s like being shocked that your ears ring after you spend 12 hours listening to Norwegian death metal on your earbuds at the maximum volume.
That’s like being shocked that drivers can be distracted in cars with giant digital screens where they must use the screens to perform almost every basic function from changing the temperature to lowering the volume. Those screens can also show you text messages or be used to order a pizza or find a movie theatre. Distracted driving on the increase, how can this possibly be? The evidence has been there for years.
A 2021 found 79 per cent of Canadian drivers admitted to being distracted while driving. A 2022 study by Rates.ca found 83 per cent of Canadians admitted to distracted driving and 43 per cent confessed to a technological distraction, such as texting while driving.
Besides, driving practically begs for distraction. It combines soul-crushing monotony with .
