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CBC
8 hours ago
- 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.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Speeding teen fined $1,800 after crashing stepmom's BMW: B.C. Highway Patrol
The B.C. Highway Patrol provided this photo of a BMV that crashed into a dump truck on July 21, 2025. A 16-year-old driving his stepmother's BMW sped past police and ran a stop sign before crashing into a dump truck last week, according to the B.C. Highway Patrol. The driver, who had a learner's licence, was clocked going 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley, Mounties said in a statement. 'To the officer, the speeding grey BMW made other highway traffic look like it was standing still,' said Cpl. Corporal Michael McLaughlin, B.C. Highway Patrol spokesperson. 'The BMW was not pursued, but a few minutes later, a driver called police and said a grey BMW had gone through a stop sign and collided with his parked dump truck.' Police fined the driver more than $1,800 for violations of the Motor Vehicle Act including excessive speeding, driving without due care and attention, and failing to obey a stop sign. Three of the fines were for violating the conditions of his learner's licence by failing to display an 'L' sign, carrying too many passengers and driving without a supervisor. The teen has also been banned from driving for a year. 'The passengers were not impressed. Hopefully the driver will learn that peer pressure works both ways,' McLaughlin said. 'He will also have to explain why his stepmother's car is sitting in an impound lot with thousands of dollars in damage.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Driver stopped going 194 km/h on Hwy. 50 in Gatineau, Que.
A Surete du Quebec police car is seen at their headquarters in Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi A 20-year-old Gatineau, Que. man is facing $3,700 worth of fines after being stopped speeding 193 km/h in Gatineau. The Sûreté du Québec says an officer observed a vehicle travelling 193 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 50, near the Draveurs Bridge, at approximately 4 a.m. Saturday. Police say the driver received tickets totalling $3,703 and 18 demerit points for speeding, driving a vehicle without the proper class driver's licence and driving with more passengers than there were seatbelts in the vehicle. The vehicle was also impounded for 30 days. Last week, police stopped a Gloucester man going 204 km/h on Highway 5 near Chelsea, que. The 27-year-old received a $1,911 ticket and 24 demerit points. His licence has been suspended for seven days, and his motorcycle was towed, police said.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi Police arrest motorists for reckless driving, performing dangerous stunts
A group of motorists was arrested in Abu Dhabi's Liwa region for driving recklessly and performing dangerous stunts, the emirate's police said on Monday. The apprehended violators were also found fleeing from a traffic officer, and driving without license plates, it added. They were caught by the Traffic and Security Patrols Department in the Al Dhafra region, in coordination with the Special Patrols Department. Brigadier General Mahmoud Yousef Al Baloushi, Director of the Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police, called on parents to monitor their children's behaviour and guide them towards responsible and safe vehicle use. He also stressed the important role the public plays in supporting security efforts, urging them to report any dangerous or illegal activities via the "Aman" service at 8002626 or by SMS to 2828.
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
BMW caught speeding 194 km/h on the Sea to Sky
A vehicle is towed away on the Sea to Sky Highway on Thursday, July 17, in this image handed out by the B.C. Highway Patrol. Mounties say a driver they spotted speeding more than 100 km/h over the limit on the Sea to Sky Highway last week could have been moments from causing a tragedy. The BMW M3 was clocked travelling 194 km/h in an 80 km/h zone near Lions Bay around 11 p.m. July 17, according to B.C. Highway Patrol. The driver, a 21-year-old Burnaby resident, was hit with an excessive speeding ticket, had his vehicle impounded for seven days, and had to pay the bill for the towing and impound. The fines totaled $1,800, police told CTV News. 'There have been a high number of fatalities in recent weeks on B.C. highways, and too much speed is almost always a factor,' said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin in a news release Wednesday. 'Our officers would much rather give you a ticket, tow and impound rather than have to tell your family that you're not coming home.'
