75% drive while distracted: survey

Fiddling with a radio or iPod and having a snack or a drink are the most commonly reported distractions among Canadian drivers, according to a survey conducted by insurance company Allstate.

The survey found that three-quarters of Canadians are distracted while driving. The least common distraction was fixing hair or make-up.

While most Canadians admit to being distracted while driving, however, they are also quick to condemn other drivers who engage in similar behaviour behind the wheel.

While eight per cent of those surveyed admitted to text messaging while behind the wheel, 88 per cent had a negative judgment of people who text while drive.

And while 58 per cent said they eat or drink while driving, 29 per cent had a negative view of others who snack behind the wheel.

"Our research shows that Canadians do not fully understand what is considered to be a distraction while driving and continue to engage in those dangerous behaviours," said Saskia Matheson of Allstate Insurance.

The company says that when drivers take their eyes off the road for only five seconds at 90 km/h, their vehicle has travelled the length of a football field.

According to Allstate, 80 per cent of collisions are caused by distracted driving.

Alberta leads the rest of the country in most distracted-driving behaviours such as texting, talking on the phone, eating or drinking. However, the province had the lowest rate of people who fix their hair or makeup while driving at just two per cent.

The survey also found that as drivers get older, they're less likely to engage in distracted behaviors behind the wheel.

Leger Marketing conducted the survey on behalf of Allstate. The results are based on interviews with 1,605 Canadians over 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points. The survey was conducted in late July.