Canadian teens catch distracted drivers red handed

Morning rush hour tally shows students distracted driving is still a problem

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - High school students across Canada were out in force at busy intersections across Canada, working with Allstate Agents to catch distracted drivers. Over a one-hour period, students in 11 Canadian cities observed 11,801 morning commuters. During the event, 39 per cent of drivers observed were engaging in some form of distraction behind the wheel.

While distracted driving continues to be a hot topic with increased media attention and talk of stiffer distracted driving laws across the country, today's tally reveals that Canadian drivers are struggling, or reluctant to give up their distractions. Allstate hopes this national tally event will demonstrate to students that distracted driving is still a problem.

"Through our annual Just Drive campaign initiatives, Allstate's been working to shine a spotlight on the issue, and educate teens on how dangerous distracted driving behaviours are, and how prevalent they continue to be on our roads," says Ryan Michel, Vice President for Allstate Canada. The tally event revealed some interesting data.

Results from driver tally:

• At eight per cent, eating or drinking was the most common distraction observed, followed by:
  • seven per cent talking to a passenger
  • five per cent smoking
  • three per cent talking on a phone
  • three per cent texting
  • three per cent grooming
  • two per cent searching for an object in the car
  • one per cent using electronic device (ex: GPS, video, gaming system, adjusting dials)
• The most unusual distraction observed was a driver playing with their dog.
• Toronto had the fewest number of distracted drivers with only 15 per cent of drivers observed driving distracted.
• Edmonton was the community with the most distracted drivers, with 88 per cent of drivers seen driving with distractions.

Complete results from the distracted driving tally events can be found here.

Just Drive Canada contest is back for 2014!

To give young Canadians a platform to speak out against distracted driving, Allstate Canada has just launched its third annual Just Drive Canada Contest. High school students across the country are invited to enter the contest by creating and uploading (to the justdrivecanada.ca website) a video, audio or image giving distracted drivers a piece of their mind.

Now that the contest is in high gear, students have until November 14, 2014 to submit their entry for a chance to win cash prizes for themselves and their schools.

Between November 17 and December 5, 2014, all Canadians will be invited to vote for their favourite entries in all categories.

New this year, from December 8 to 26, 2014, Canadians will be eligible to act as an honorary member of the finalist judging panel to help drive their favourite entries across the finish line.

Grand prize winners will be announced in January 2015.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada's leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. "The Good Hands Network®" enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 85 community-based Agencies, directly online at allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. Allstate Canada has been working with Accident Awareness to educate teens and young drivers on the dangers of distracted and dangerous driving since 2013. Together, the organizations offer free in-school presentations for high schools across the country. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit allstate.ca and justdrivecanada.ca.

Image with caption: "Students from St. Basil the Great College School in Toronto count distracted drivers as part of the third annual Allstate Canada Just Drive Tally. (Photographer: Giordano Ciampini) (CNW Group/Allstate Insurance Company of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141008_C1384_PHOTO_EN_6477.jpg

SOURCE: Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

about the distracted driver tally results, Just Drive Canada, other Allstate Canada distracted driving initiatives, or to speak with a spokesperson, please contact: April Gibson, Thornley Fallis Communications, 416.515.7517 x 323, [email protected]