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Majority of Manitoba drivers worry about distracted driving, survey suggests
Majority of Manitoba drivers worry about distracted driving, survey suggests

CBC

time30-07-2025

  • Automotive
  • CBC

Majority of Manitoba drivers worry about distracted driving, survey suggests

Distracted driving is a top concern for Manitobans, a new survey done for the Canadian Automobile Association suggests. The CAA, a national non-profit that advocates for issues such as road safety and infrastructure while offering services like roadside assistance, hired DIG Insights to do an online survey of 506 adult drivers in Manitoba about their thoughts on distracted driving from Feb. 11-21. Nearly 90 per cent of the drivers surveyed said they felt somewhat or very concerned about distracted driving in the province, CAA said. About 60 per cent of those surveyed said they've seen a close call or a traffic violation caused by distracted driving. Almost half of respondents — 46 per cent — admitted to being distracted drivers themselves, CAA said. "Most concerning, 13 per cent of drivers reported being directly involved in a collision due to distracted driving," CAA said. While the survey results suggest Manitobans are concerned about distracted driving, it also indicates that "we kind of engage in it a little bit more than is comfortable," said Ewald Friesen, CAA Manitoba's manager of government and community relations. The survey comes alongside an increase in licence suspensions for distracted driving in the province. More Manitoba licences were suspended for distracted driving in 2024 than in any of the four previous years, MPI said in April. Winnipeg police have issued nearly 1,700 tickets related to distracted driving so far this year, Const. Pat Saydak told CBC News on Wednesday. Winnipeg police have said they can only issue a ticket for using a cellphone or an electronic hand-held device while driving. People can also be charged for driving carelessly, which is a broader term that encompasses any negligent driving behaviour that endangers others. Friesen said the issue with Manitoba's current legislation is that it doesn't reflect the broad range of distracted driving. "Distracted driving could be anything that takes your eyes off the road," he said. "So this could include things like an unsecured pet or applying makeup in the car, eating or drinking, maybe playing with your infotainment centre or setting up that podcast." Provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec have comprehensive distracted driving laws, he said, and legislation like that can help further clarify what counts as distracted driving. 'So many distractions' Jody Poborsa said as a driver, it's impossible for some people to be completely focused on the road at all times. "I don't think that anyone can honestly say that they are 100 per cent focused on driving at every single moment," she told CBC News at The Forks. "There's so many distractions, like cellphones, radios and kids and stuff like that." Andrew Wedge said while distracted driving is a "huge problem," he's also guilty of looking at his cellphone on the road and has had to pull over to check his device. "My biggest concern is people who have their AirPods in their ears when they're driving. I'm not sure if they can hear sirens," he said. Another 500 adult drivers in Manitoba were surveyed about speeding in March, with 82 per cent saying they believe speeding is a problem in the province, CAA said. About 65 per cent said they'd support the use of photo radar cameras to address that problem. The survey also suggests Manitoba drivers support higher fines and harsher penalties or suspensions, especially for repeat offenders, CAA said. Over 60 per cent of drivers surveyed said they believe increasing penalties for repeat offenders is the most effective way to prevent drivers from speeding, particularly in school zones or near community centres, CAA said. Online surveys do not have margins of error, but a random representative survey of 500 Manitobans has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent, 95 per cent of the time, DIG Insights said. Friesen said Winnipeg is currently the only municipality in Manitoba that has the right to use photo enforcement. The City of Brandon and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities have both advocated for use of the technology.

Distracted driving a major concern among Manitobans: CAA survey
Distracted driving a major concern among Manitobans: CAA survey

Global News

time30-07-2025

  • Automotive
  • Global News

Distracted driving a major concern among Manitobans: CAA survey

Distracted driving is top-of-mind for Manitobans, according to a new survey conducted by the local branch of CAA. The auto club said the study found that 88 per cent of drivers polled said they're 'somewhat' or 'very' concerned about distracted driving — with 63 per cent saying they've seen distracted drivers nearly cause collisions. A further 46 per cent admitted they, themselves, have engaged in distracted driving. CAA's Ewald Friesen said those results aren't a shock, seeing as distracted driving is currently the top cause of deaths on roads in the province, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. 'It is no surprise that Manitobans are concerned about the dangerous driving they have witnessed, especially when it comes to distracted drivers,' Friesen said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'What is most concerning, however, is that currently, Manitoba does not have a specific distracted driving law, which could help deter distracted drivers and increase road safety. Story continues below advertisement 'We know that drivers who text are far more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash compared to non-distracted drivers. Distractions inside and outside your vehicle can draw your focus away from where it needs to be most.' CAA Manitoba's survey results also highlighted speeding as a major concern across the province, with 82 per cent of those polled expressing their concern, and the majority supporting the use of automatic speed enforcement (ASE) cameras. Friesen said the photo enforcement cameras are currently only used in Winnipeg. 'ASEs can be a valuable tool in positively shifting driver behaviour and protecting vulnerable road users, especially in areas with schools and community centres,' he said. 'Photo radar cameras should not be used as a revenue generator but rather as a tool to encourage safe driving behaviours, especially in school zones.' The survey, which was conducted with just over 500 adult drivers in Manitoba, also showed strong support for harsher fines and penalties for repeat offenders.

Rural Manitoba roads earn dubious honours in CAA Worst Roads campaign
Rural Manitoba roads earn dubious honours in CAA Worst Roads campaign

Global News

time29-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Global News

Rural Manitoba roads earn dubious honours in CAA Worst Roads campaign

CAA Manitoba has announced the 'winner' of its annual Worst Roads campaign, and the dubious honour goes to Provincial Trunk Highway 34 in the Central Plains/Pembina Valley area. This year, the auto club said Thursday, marks the first time nine of the top 10 worst roads — as selected by Manitoba drivers — are outside Winnipeg's city limits, with Saskatchewan Avenue as the lone road in the provincial capital making the list at number 10. Drivers cited frustration with potholes as a major reason for PTH 34's nomination, with poor maintenance, poor signage, and unpaved sections adding to the overall experience. These frustrations, CAA said, aren't new — the highway has appeared on six of the annual Worst Roads lists, but 2025 marks its first time atop the leaderboard. A crumbling section of Provincial Trunk Highway 34 in Central Plains — the 'winner' of Manitoba's Worst Road for 2025. CAA Manitoba CAA's Ewald Friesen said the goal of the annual campaign is to raise awareness about the condition of some roads across the province and to hopefully spur government action when it comes to road repairs. Story continues below advertisement 'The CAA Worst Roads campaign provides a powerful snapshot to governments on where to prioritize budgets and move up road repairs by giving Manitobans an opportunity to have their say on the difficulties they are experiencing in getting around,' Friesen said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We saw the proof of this when last year's winner, 18th Street in Brandon, received a swift and co-ordinated response from governments on the same day the results were released, with shovels in the ground by fall.' Friesen said this year's campaign saw a large increase in the number of nominees, with more than 700 roads across 86 municipalities getting the nod. Joining PTH 34 in first place and Winnipeg's Saskatchewan Avenue at number 10 are two highways in the Interlake (PR 234 and 239), Richmond Avenue and 26th Street in Brandon, PR 307 in the Whiteshell, PR 349 in Westman, PTH 12 in the Eastman area, and PTH 26, also in Central Plains.

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