Quebec sees drop in motorists guilty of using cellphones behind wheel

Quebec roads may be on the way to becoming a little bit safer.

The number of motorists found guiltyofusing cell phones while behind the wheel has decreased for the first time sinceprovincial government introduced fines for talking and texting while driving in 2008, Radio-Canada has learned.

The SAAQ, Quebec's automobile insurance board, reported a 23 per centdecline in the numberof drivers convicted of using their cellphones while driving, from67,866in 2014 to55,043 in 2015

The Sret du Qubecsaidthe province's safety campaigns and policecracking down on distracted drivinghave helped curb dangerous behaviour.

"We're also seeing that citizens are less and less tolerant toward those who do use their cellphone while driving," Annie Thibodeau, spokesperson for the SQ, told Radio-Canada.

"And more and more people are reporting those drivers."

Thibodeau added that Quebec's 2015 decision to stiffen the penalty for drivers caught using a cellphone from losing three demerit points to four,which could result in motorists with probationary drivers' licences to lose the thementirely, has also made an impact.

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Fatal distraction

The SAAQ will be launching a new awareness campaign this week to educate motorists on distracted driving and using cellphones behind the wheel.

Mario Vaillaincourt, a spokesperson for the SAAQ, said textingwhile driving is still rampantand excessively dangerous.

"It's still unfortunately the source of a lot of accidents that lead to deaths and injuries," he said.

Statistics on accidents caused by driver distraction including cellphones are less encouraging, he said.

"Half of these accidents cause injuries or deaths, and a third of them are fatal," he said, adding that motorists know that texting while on the road is risky, but the temptation is far too great.

Thibodeau echoed the same concern, saying that some Quebecersthink they havemastered texting while driving.

"It's usually wishful thinking," she said.

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