Speeding a strong Canadian habit

Speeding is a widespread habit among Canadian drivers, with nearly 70 per cent admitting to speeding in residential areas at least once in the past year.

The findings come from new research from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Half of respondents reported regularly speeding on highways, while one in five drivers confessed to frequently driving well over the speed limit.

“Higher speeds reduce drivers’ reaction time and increase the risk to themselves and everyone else,” says Kristine D’Arbelles, senior director of public affairs for CAA National. “Speeding increases your stopping distance, making a collision more likely and severe, but it saves you only a small amount of time.”

Research from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation underscores this point, showing that driving just 10 km/h over the speed limit increases the chance of a collision by 60 per cent, while saving drivers an average of only four minutes per trip.

The CAA poll also highlights that speeding is not confined to younger drivers. While those aged 50 and older reported slightly lower rates of speeding, all age groups admitted to regularly exceeding posted limits. This behaviour may be linked to a lack of perceived consequences, as only 35 per cent of Canadians believe they are likely to be caught for speeding.

“CAA encourages everyone to respect speed limits to help keep everyone safe,” D’Arbelles adds.

The survey also shed light on other risky driving behaviours. Forty per cent of Canadians admitted to running red lights, 68 per cent said they had driven while too tired, and 54 per cent confessed to using their phone while driving at least once in the past year.

According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, about one-quarter of fatal collisions in Canada involve speeding.

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