Behaviours

Risks and Solutions

Driving and using your cell phone? Choose one! A call, a text message, a notification, changing the song, however important... will never be as important as your life or that of others.

The dangers of using electronic devices while driving

Using an electronic device while driving considerably increases the risk of an accident.

It has been scientifically proven!

At the wheel, using an electronic device:

  • reduces the driver's ability to analyze a situation and react
  • increases the adaptation time required to maintain a safe distance between vehicles
  • makes it more difficult to perform tasks that appear simple and mundane, such as driving in a straight line and keeping the vehicle in the centre of the lane
  • reduces the driver's ability to avoid obstacles: potholes, cyclists, pedestrians
  • reduces the driver's field of vision

It has been statistically confirmed!

For more concrete idea of the dangers of using a cell phone at the wheel, go to our section entitled Did You Know?

It's basic math!

When you text and drive:

  • your eyes are away from the road for 4 to 6 seconds. Try closing your eyes for 4 to 6 seconds (but on your sofa, please!) ... it’s a long time! At 90 km/h, this is like travelling the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Hands-free devices are not recommended. They are merely tolerated.

Even if their use is authorized, hands-free devices are not a safer option and are not recommended, as the simple act of talking on the phone or making a voice command is a source of distraction.

If you do use a hands-free device, we recommend that you solidly mount your phone on a support device. The phone must not interfere with driving manoeuvres or prevent any equipment from working properly (e.g. an air bag), and it must not pose a risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Solutions when you’re at the wheel

A number of applications are available that will block calls on your device when you are driving at a certain speed.  Pick the one that’s best for you!

Do not disturb while driving feature (apple ios 11)

With iOS 11, your iPhone can detect when you may be driving and block notifications. When the “Do Not Disturb while driving” function is activated, the iPhone remains silent and the screen goes dark. Anyone who sends you a message receives an automatic reply telling them you’re driving. The iPhone does deliver a few notifications, such as emergency alerts, timers, and alarms.

To talk, send a text message, change the song or check something on your device

  • Park at a location where it is safe and legal to do so… The shoulder of a highway is a safety corridor reserved for emergency situations.  This is not an appropriate place to check or use your device!
  • If a trustworthy passenger is riding with you, ask him or her to “manage” your device for you.

Video clip

Where is it safe to stop?

You can stop at a safe place such as the parking lot of a rest area or shopping centre.

Villages-relais are another option where travellers are offered a full range of services.

The shoulder of the road: only in case of emergency

In addition to being prohibited on a highway, stopping on the shoulder is not safe, since there is a risk of collision with other vehicles.

A sticker for your rear window: “Non aux textos au volant!” (No texting and driving – available in French only)

The purpose of this sticker is to launch a social mobilization movement against texting and driving.

The  “Non aux textos au Volant” sticker is available at SAAQ service outlets. They are given out free of charge.

Static window cling against texting while driving

The videos and radio ads on this page are provided for consultation purposes only.

Last update: June  3, 2022