A survey by InsuranceHotline.com has highlighted the dangerous attitudes of Canadians when it comes to mobile telephones and our roads.
According to the study, 26% of Canadians check their messages while they're driving, and 41% admit to checking their phones while stopped at a stop light - a practice which is still considered distracted driving and is still dangerous.
While the survey found Canadians were familiar with the fines and penalties attached to a distracted driving charge, many were unaware of how a conviction would impact their insurance.
The reality is that distracted driving convictions will increase your premiums by 25% for at least six years. That means about a $350 increase to the average Ontario car insurance premium. After six years, the total financial cost of driving distracted would be $2,100.
The study is summarized in the infographic below.
One positive from the report is that drivers who heard the facts about distracted driving were impacted by the numbers. Upon learning that over 30,000 people were injured, and over 300 people killed by distracted drivers in 2016, 44% of the respondents said they would definitely change their behaviour. Another 20% said they were "likely" to change their behaviour on the roads.
If you've been convicted of dangerous driving, it's more important than ever to shop online for the best car insurance quotes.