Red light texting still a problem in Canada, says CAA

Canadians are still textingwhile behind the wheel, despite increased financial penalties and the threat ofdemerit points, according to a recent survey by the Canadian Automobile Association.

JustinLabrashis a young driver, who has had his license for about two years now. For him, the risks oftextingand drivingaren't worth it.

"I think it's really stupid. There's just no point in doing it,"Labrashsaid, adding there are plenty of places to pull over.

Nearly one-third of Canadians who took the CAA poll said they had texted while stopped at a red light in the last month.

Jeff Walker, the vice-president of public affairs at the CAA, says the numbers are troubling. He saidthe effect of texting at a red light lingers well after the light turns green, making it a dangerous driving habit.

I don't want to be the victim who's in thebackseat.-Justin Labrash

It's harder forLabrashto determine where to draw the line when it comes tocellphoneuse at red lights.

"In cities, I don't really think it's a good idea. Smaller towns, when it's not busy itstill shouldn'tbe done, but it's a little bit less dangerous."

However, he said strictlaws are in place for a reason.Labrashsaid that if his friends attempt to text and drive while heis in the car,he doesn't let it happen.

"I don't want to be the victim who's in thebackseatwhen somebody's being dumb."

The CAA survey showed that close to70 per cent of Canadians believe using their phone at a red light is unacceptable. CAA polled 2,012 Canadians for its survey.

The margin of error is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Saskatchewan residents to see greater restrictions

Saskatchewan's current law only penalizes people who use their phones whendriving, but that's changing come the new year.

In 2017, Saskatchewan residents couldbe penalized for viewing, manipulating and even holding their phones while behind the wheel.

Regina resident Jodi Nicholson-Hachey welcomed the added restrictions, andsaid she thinks cellphone use in the car is more common than people would like to admit.

"If we are distracted for a second really bad things can happen, and I'm guilty, as are many people."

She noted that phones are like anappendage for some people, but drivers should leave them alone while in the car.Nicholson-Hachey's concern extends beyond herself.

"I have a young driver who's just about to start driver training, and I think it's really importantfor them to not be on that phone."

• Updatedcellphonelaw will ban Sask. drivers from viewing, holding phones
• Distracted driving:textingwill become largest cause of teen deaths, predicts instructor

The provincial legislation was passed earlier in the fall, and the changes will be implemented inaddition to anumber of SGI fee increases in the new year.

The new Saskatchewan laws come into effect Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m. CST.

Quebec asks Ottawa to considercriminalization

Quebecaskedthe federal government in Augustto examine the possibility of criminalizingthe use ofcellphones while driving.

Transport Minister Laurent Lessard wantedhisfederal counterpart Marc Garneauto look into the matter. He made the commentsafterQuebec coroner's report thatrecommended the Criminal Code be amended.

• Are stronger laws the solution to curbing distracted driving?

JoanneGhiz, a spokeswoman for the federal justice department, told CBC in August that law enforcement already hastools to deal with those who use a cellphone while driving.