The Cost of Distracted Driving in Canada

**This article is updated from its original version published in October 2016.

Distracted driving accidents continue to plague Canadians, despite increases in fines and demerits for offenders. According to the Government of Canada, economic losses caused by traffic collision-related health care costs and lost workplace productivity are at least $10 billion annually.

Furthermore, the newest generation of drivers – teenage drivers – continually find themselves in precarious situations due to distracted driving. Madeinca says cellphone use while driving drops as people get older. For every 10-year increase in age, drivers are 44% less likely to text, 38% less likely to use handheld devices, and 28% less likely to use hands-free calls.

While cell phones are the primary culprit leading to distracted driving, applying makeup, reaching for moving objects and reading – yes, reading while driving – also contribute to distracted driving infractions.

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What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving comes in many forms (not just texting or using a phone) and is defined as any activity that takes your attention away from driving, including taking your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving.

It generally includes three types:

Visual (looking away)
Manual (hands off the wheel)
Cognitive (mind not focused on driving)

Visual distraction is when you take your eyes off the road in front of you. This can include checking a text notification, looking at your GPS screen, looking at something happening outside the vehicle (rubbernecking), or reading a message or dashboard notification.

Manual distraction is when you remove your hands from the wheel to adjust things or electronic devices. It can include holding or using your phone, eating, or drinking, reaching for something in your bag, or adjusting the radio or climate controls.

Cognitive distraction is anything that takes your mind off driving, and the driver loses focus. It can include being stressed or distracted by emotions, daydreaming, having an intense conversation (even hands-free), or thinking about work, an argument, or a problem.

Distractions behind the wheel are not limited to cell phones. Many modern vehicles now come with advanced safety and entertainment features, including large infotainment screens and complex consoles. It is important for drivers to take the time to get familiar with these systems before hitting the road.

The last thing you want to do is try to figure out how it all works while you’re driving. Instead, set everything up in advance—adjust your settings, connect your phone, and make sure you know where key controls are—so you can stay focused and drive safely without any distractions.

Distracted versus focused driving

In an effort to highlight the distracted driving problem in Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) did some research on the likelihood of being in an accident or near accident while distracted versus driving without distractions. Their findings should give all drivers, regardless of age and perceived driving ability, all the reasons needed to stop distracted driving.

Likelihood of Accident or Near Accident: Distracted vs Not Distracted

Texting on a cell phone – 23 times more likely
Talking on a cell phone – 4 to 5 times more likely
Reading – 3 times more likely
Applying makeup – 3 times more likely
Reaching for a moving object – 9 times more likely
Dialing on a hand-held device – 3 times more likely

The Windsor police department launched a campaign called ‘Operation Stay Focused’ for a month in 2015 to warn motorists about the dangers of distracted driving.

Now, 10 years later, distracted driving continues to be a major concern amongst Canadian drivers.

The truth behind the numbers

Distracted driving laws began rolling out in 2009 in Canada.

Canadians have increasingly admitted to using their phones while driving:

2010: 4.8% of drivers admitted to using mobile phones while driving (handheld).

2019: 9.7% of drivers admitted to using mobile phones while driving (handheld).

**This represents a 102% rise in self-reported use over nine years

CAA data from 2021 found that nearly 8 in 10 drivers (or 79%) admit to distracted behaviour while driving, with in-vehicle technology—like phones, consoles, and voice features—among the biggest risks.

Some interesting stats from Financial Post data:

2010 → 2021: Drivers who reported often texting while driving increased from 4.8% (2010) to 13.1% (2021) = that’s a 173% increase overall.

2019 → 2021: Talking on a handheld phone while driving rose from almost 12% (2019) to just over 14% (2021), while texting while driving increased from close to 10% (2019) to just over 13% (2021).

In Ontario, distracted driving deaths are up 40% in 2023 with a total of 287 people killed in collisions where 43 were due to distracted driving.

According to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, using a cell phone while driving makes you four times more likely to be in a collision. Even looking away for just two seconds can double your crash risk.

And phones aren’t the only distraction. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, adjusting controls, or programming GPS can all pull attention away from driving. Driver distraction is linked to roughly 4 million crashes in North America each year.

The Ontario Provincial Police stated in a CBC article that 82 people died on Ontario highways last year due to distracted driving or driver inattention. That’s a 43% increase from 2023, when 57 deaths were reported, and marks the highest total in six years.

The provincial breakdown of distracted driving laws

Rules differ across provinces and territories. While all provinces fine drivers for using handheld devices, the penalty amounts vary, as do license suspension consequences. Ontario currently has some of the toughest distracted driving penalties in Canada.

PROVINCE	FINE	DEMERIT	LICENSE SUSPENSION
British Columbia	$368	4 demerit points	License suspension with two or more infractions within 12 months can result in 3–12-month prohibition.
Alberta	$300	3 demerit points	No license suspension
Saskatchewan	$580	4 demerit points	Penalties rise incrementally for second and third offences.
Manitoba	$672	5 demerit points	3-day license suspension, 7-day suspension for subsequent offences.
Ontario	1st Conviction: $615 – $1,000 2nd Conviction: $615 – $2,000 3rd Conviction: $615 – $3,000	1st Conviction: 3 Demerits 2nd Conviction: 6 Demerits 3rd Conviction: 6 Demerits	1st conviction: 3-day suspension, 2ndconviction: 7-day suspension, 3rd conviction and further: 30-day suspension
Quebec	$300-$600	5 demerit points	1st conviction: 3-day suspension, 2nd conviction: 7-day suspension, 3rd conviction: 30-day suspension
Newfoundland & Labrador	$300-$1,000	4 demerit points	No license suspension
New Brunswick	$340	5 demerit points	No license suspension
Yukon	$500	3 demerit points	No license suspension
The Northwest Territories	$322-$644	3 demerit points	License suspension for the second, third, and fourth offence. (*Suspension for re-offence within 2 years of the original conviction.)

Distracted Driving vs Drunk Driving

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control ranked Canada no. 1 among 19 wealthy countries for percentage of roadway deaths linked to alcohol impairment. The study found that 34% of motor vehicle deaths in Canada involved alcohol.

This original CDC study (from 2016 data) served as a "wake-up call" at the time and prompted discussions on new strategies and legislation in Canada, such as mandatory alcohol screening, which was introduced in December 2018.

Recent data from 2024–2025 shows a shift in alcohol-impaired driving trends across Canada. While impaired driving now accounts for roughly 1 in 4 road deaths (25%), down from 34% in 2016, the total number of fatalities has still increased. Between 2021 and 2022, alcohol-related road deaths rose by 14%, climbing from 457 fatalities to 521.

These stats highlight the effect of drunk driving in Canada, while showing just how prominent and deadly alcohol related crashes are in Canada.

Kicking the Distracted Driving Habit

At the end of the day, all the stats, penalties and fines put in place to deter distracted driving can only reach so far. It boils down to a conscious decision each driver makes to realize the harmful and lasting impacts distracted driving can have and just not do it.

Instead of driving with your phone between your legs or in your hand, put your phone in the glove box. If you think you’d be tempted to reach for it while driving, give it to a passenger and have them let you know if you get any calls or messages. From there, you can pull over at a safe spot and respond to the call or message.

If you’re going to be out for a short period of time, you could also consider leaving your phone at home. It isn't a horrible thing to have a little time away from your phone.