75% of Canadians drive distracted: Allstate poll

Seventy-five per cent of Canadians drive distracted, despite the fact that nearly all Canadians view distracted driving negatively, according to an Allstate Canada poll conducted by Leger Marketing. The most common forms of distracted driving include talking on a mobile phone or texting while driving, changing a CD, eating or drinking, using an electronic device like GPS, applying makeup or being pre-occupied with other passengers, says an Allstate release.One-quarter of Canadians report they, or someone they know, have been in an accident caused by a distracted driver. Thirty-seven per cent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 say they have been, or know someone who has been, in an accident caused by a distracted driver. Eighty-eight per cent of Canadians perceive texting while driving negatively. But only 19% have a negative view of adjusting the radio or portable music player, the study found. “Regardless of the distraction, taking your eyes off the road for five seconds while driving at 90 km-h is like driving the length of a football field completely blind,” the release said.