Surprising number of Canadian drivers admit to speeding: CAA releases survey results – DiscoverMooseJaw.com

According to a new public opinion survey conducted by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), 70 per cent of Canadians admit to speeding in a residential area at least once in the past year, half say they regularly speed on a highway, and one in five drivers say they do so. . they regularly speed.

“Higher speeds reduce drivers’ reaction times and increase the risk to themselves and everyone else,” said Christine D’Arbel, senior director of public affairs for CAA National.

“Speeding increases stopping distance, making a collision more likely and severe, but saves only a small amount of time,” added Christina Niemczyk, director of corporate affairs and public affairs for CAA Saskatchewan.

According to the Road Injury Research Foundation, going even 10 km/h over the speed limit increases the likelihood of a collision by 60 percent, while saving the average driver just four minutes on a trip.

The information comes from a national survey conducted by CAA on self-reported driver behavior.

On average, about a quarter of fatal crashes in Canada involve speeding, according to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database.

“The CAA encourages everyone to obey speed limits to keep everyone safe,” Niemczyk said.

The CAA survey also found that speeding is not limited to young people. While drivers over 50 reported doing so slightly less, all age groups admitted to consistently driving over the limit.

This attitude may be due to the fact that, according to a survey, only 35 percent of Canadians think they will get caught for speeding.

The study is part of the CAA’s annual survey of Canadians’ driving habits. The fall 2024 poll also found that nationally, four in 10 Canadians admitted to running a red light, 68 per cent admitted to driving when too tired, and 54 per cent admitted to using their phone while driving at least once. over the past year.

Many people surveyed admitted that they do some unsafe things while driving that they probably shouldn’t do.

According to the survey, the top 10 most dangerous driving behaviors in Saskatchewan include:

1. Highway speeding: 56%
2. Interaction with in-car technology while driving: 45%
3. Performing a “sliding stop”: 34%
4. Driving when they are tired or sleepy: 32%
5. Speeding on a residential street: 27%
6. Programming a destination on GPS or mobile device while driving: 26%
7. Driving at excessive speed: 23%
8. Phone use while driving: 17%
9. Didn’t check shoulder while driving: 15%
10. Aggressive driving: 14%

The CAA encourages everyone to follow the following safety tips to keep themselves and others safe:

1. Please remember that speed limits are based on ideal weather conditions. As we head into winter, when roads and highways are covered in ice and snow, we must try to stick to the speed limit or slow down to keep everyone safe.
2. Keep a safe distance. Increasing the distance between you and the vehicle in front can give you the time you need to recognize the danger and respond safely.
3. Drive slowly through public safety zones, school zones, and residential areas. Expect additional pedestrian or bicycle traffic in these areas and watch for children running across the road or jumping out from behind parked cars.
4. Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. Be especially careful if you see someone about to or already entering a pedestrian crossing.
5. Be patient. Pedestrians with disabilities, children or elderly people crossing the road may take longer to reach the other side.

The CAA’s latest findings are based on a survey of 2,880 Canadians conducted between September 13 and 21, 2024. A probability sample of the same size would produce a margin of error of +/- 1.9%.