Lack of attention while driving is causing more and more deaths on Quebec roads with an increase of 67% observed in just two years, according to a recent study by insurance comparator HelloSafe.
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Nearly 21% of deaths on the roads of La Belle Province were caused by distracted driving in 2021, compared to 12.95% in 2019, according to the most recent data from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec ( SAAQ) collected.
Thus, 73 people lost their lives for this reason in 2021 out of 348 deaths recorded across Canada. “This represents 40 more deaths than in 2019, an increase of 67% in two,” HelloSafe explained on Tuesday.
At the national level, distracted driving is responsible for 19.7% of road deaths, behind speed (24.7%), but ahead of those caused by an environmental factor such as weather or road defects (18 %).
Quebec, not strict enough?
Motorists who are caught for distracted driving face a minimum of $300 fine and five demerit points in Quebec, making it one of the five least severe provinces on this subject.
For comparison, the minimum fine set in Manitoba is $672 for this type of offense, but $280 in New Brunswick.
The HelloSafe report compiles data from sources such as Transport Canada, Statistics Canada, the CAA and the Quebec automobile insurance group.
