It’s been nearly a year since Manitoba’s cell phone driving ban went into effect and motorists still aren’t getting the message.
The not-so-shocking revelation comes from CAA Manitoba in a new survey released Tuesday.
Of the more than 11,000 survey respondents, 99.4 percent said since the law has been in effect, they have still seen motorists talking or texting. More than half of respondents said they see motorists violating the law at least once every day.
“Our members have identified distracted driving as the number one road safety concern,” said CAA spokesperson Liz Peters. “Even though a full year has passed since the law came into effect, they say that motorist habits haven’t changed much.”
The survey also found that 68 percent of respondents believe it’s unlikely violators will be caught and ticketed by police.
Other survey highlights include:
- 58 percent believe demerit points should be added to the $199.98 fine
- 30 percent admit to talking on their phone while driving since the new law has come into effect
- 14 percent admit to texting while driving since the new law came into effect
- 48 percent own a Bluetooth or device that enables them talk hands-free
- 38 percent say they use that device “only on occasion”
- 49 percent believe the ban has made our roads safer
