Things That Really Grind Our Gears

Canadian drivers confess to bad behaviour:
Survey finds speeding is the most confessed bad habit

By Tom Mack

Most of us will have some experience of being on the receiving end of someone else’s aggressive or bad driving displays. Thankfully such moments are still relatively rare but they can be annoying, if not downright scary when experienced.

While age is no indicator of who’s likely to indulge in such bad road manners, it’s safe to suggest that perhaps there’s a correlation between youth and impatience. On the other hand, as we mature, gain driving experience and become more philosophical about life an argument can be made that we show more patience and less aggression behind the wheel.

Still, at any age, stress can lead to risk taking and this in turn increases the likelihood of a driving transgression, regardless of age. 

A new survey from Kanetix.ca finds that more than 75 per cent of Canadians admit to bad driving behavior, with speeding being the most confessed bad habit.

“While our study shows that most of us are guilty of bad driving behaviours, what’s particularly interesting is the consequences of this aggression,” said Janine White, Vice President, Marketplaces at Kanetix.ca “Receiving a ticket, getting into a collision, or worse – all which inevitably lead to car insurance hikes, is risky and costly, and just not worth it in the end.”

Illustration: Newspress

What are Canadians guilty of doing behind the wheel?
Over half (58 per cent) are guilty of speeding, down about two percent from 2012, when Kanetix.ca first conducted this study.

Using profanity out of frustration with traffic or delays is the second most common bad habit (31 per cent)

Following too closely behind other vehicles (22 per cent)

Displaying hostile hand gestures towards other drivers is also a common bad behavior, along with yelling at another driver (19 per cent)

Drivers also admit to: cutting people off (13 per cent); weaving in and out of traffic (8 per cent); honking excessively at other drivers (7 per cent), and chasing or tailgating other drivers (7 per cent)

Generally, men are more likely to engage in these behaviours, while Quebec residents are least likely to do so.

Provincial Breakdown:
Eighty per cent of Albertans admit to bad driving behaviour, with two-thirds saying they speed

Ontarians are the same – eight in 10 admit to bad driving behaviour, again, speeding is the most common

Quebec residents are the least likely to admit to any bad driving habits (68 per cent vs. 79 per cent for the rest of Canada,). Twenty-five per cent of Quebec drivers claim they are a perfect driver.

While Canadians show marginal improvements, bad driving behaviours remain largely unchanged from three years ago. The only habit that saw a significant drop was the use of profanity out of frustration with traffic or delays, which fell from 39 per cent to 31 per cent, an interesting observation considering traffic congestion is generally increasing across Canada.

“One ticket can have a significant negative impact on your car insurance premiums,” said Janine White. “Become a calmer and safer driver – it will save you and your money.”