Business Matters: The High Cost of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving laws are now the norm in all provinces within Canada. Of the three territories, Nunavut is the only holdout. In addition to levying fines, the majority of the provinces and territories have imposed demerit points.

Even with fines and demerit points, many drivers are not convinced that distracted driving affects their ability behind the wheel. A March 3, 2014, news release from the Ontario Provincial Police stated:

In 2013, distracted driving fatalities surpassed both impaired and speed related fatalities in fatal motor vehicle collisions investigated by the OPP. A total of 78 people died from distracted driving-related crashes compared to 57 deaths in impaired driving related crashes and 44 people who died in speed related crashes last year.

Both owner-managers and employees should be concerned about these figures, not only because of the unnecessary loss of life, but also because a laissez-faire attitude could ultimately cost owner-managers their business and employees their jobs.