Use of electronic communication devices by Canadian drivers in urban areas. Summary report.

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 cell phones has been measured as part of a national seat belt use survey in the past. The last time that cell phone use was observed, an estimated 3.6% of drivers were talking on cell phones in rural areas in 2009 and 3.3% were using them in urban areas in 2010. Given that most Canadian jurisdictions have passed legislation prohibiting the use of hand-held devices 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. An observational survey was conducted at 286 urban sites across Canada during September 2012. A total of 70,686 drivers of light duty vehicles were observed while they were stopped at a traffic light or a stop sign. Whether they were using an ECD was recorded as well as the type of usage (i.e., speaking, typing, both), driver age and gender, number of passengers in the vehicle, and type of vehicle. The data was weighted to obtain estimates of ECD use, the percentage of drivers using ECDs, and the type of use. These are presented nationally, by jurisdiction, and by various subgroups (i.e., age, sex, etc.). The national urban survey results show that an estimated 4.6% (± 0.5) of the drivers used an ECD, varying by jurisdiction from 1.3 to 7.0%. ECD use was more frequent among young drivers (<25 years of age), drivers of light trucks, drivers without passengers, and somewhat more by female drivers. ECDs were used for talking by 2.3% of drivers and for typing by 1.7% of drivers. Nationally, the use of hand-held ECDs for talking was 61% lower in 2012 than that observed in 2007. A detailed analysis of drivers talking on ECDs before and after laws prohibiting their use came into effect indicated that usage was significantly lower after the law in nine jurisdictions. (Author/publisher)