Nearly 70 per cent of Canadians acknowledge speeding in residential areas at least once in the past year, while half report regularly exceeding highway speed limits, according to new research from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
The national poll, conducted in September 2024, also found that one in five drivers regularly drive well over the speed limit. “Higher speeds reduce drivers’ reaction time and increase the risk to themselves and everyone else,” said Kristine D’Arbelles, senior director of public affairs at CAA National. “Speeding increases your stopping distance, making a collision more likely and severe, but it saves you only a small amount of time.”
According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, travelling even 10 km/h over the speed limit increases the likelihood of a collision by 60 per cent, while saving the average driver only four minutes on a trip. On average in Canada, about a quarter of fatal collisions involve speeding, according to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database.
The CAA poll revealed that speeding is not limited to young drivers; while those over 50 reported slightly lower instances, all age groups admitted to persistently going over the limit. Only 35 per cent of Canadians believe they will get caught for speeding, which may contribute to the prevalence of this behaviour.
The survey, part of CAA’s yearly examination of Canadians’ driving habits, also uncovered other risky behaviours. Four in ten Canadians admitted to running a red light, 68 per cent drove when they were too tired and 54 per cent used their phone while driving at least once in the last year.
On the National Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims, CAA encourages drivers to follow safety guidelines to protect themselves and others:
- Respect speed limits, especially as winter approaches and road conditions worsen.
- Maintain a safe following distance to allow adequate time to react to hazards.
- Drive slowly through community safety zones and residential areas, watching for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and be patient with those who may need more time to cross.
“CAA encourages everyone to respect speed limits to help keep everyone safe,” said D’Arbelles.
The survey polled 2,880 Canadians between Sept. 13 and 21, 2024. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 per cent.