Use of Electronic Communication Devices by Canadian Drivers: Rural and Urban Sites Combined

TL;DRAbstract

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. In Canada, the use of ECDs has been measured as part of a national seat belt use survey in the past. In the most recent Canadian surveys, 3.6% of drivers were observed talking on these hand-held devices in rural areas in 2009 and 3.3% were talking on them in urban areas in 2010, yielding a combined urban/rural usage of 3.3%. Given that most Canadian jurisdictions have passed legislation prohibiting the use of hand-held ECDs by drivers, 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. An observational survey was conducted at 286 urban sites during September 2012 and at 252 rural sites during September 2013. A total of 70,686 drivers of light duty vehicles were observed whi

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