Got a Distracted Driving Ticket? Chances Are You’re a Millennial

With one hand on the wheel and the other on the phone, too many drivers are armed and dangerous.

From the youngest drivers to the oldest, distracted driving knows no age limit, according to an analysis of drivers who compared Ontario auto insurance quotes at InsuranceHotline.com. Even so, of the thousands—yes, thousands—of distracted driving tickets disclosed, Millennials are most represented in having a distracted driving ticket on their record, more than any other generation.

Millennials Admit to 62.6% of Disclosed Distracted Driving Tickets

Of the drivers who said they’ve been on the receiving end of a distracted driving ticket: 6.5% are Gen Z (20 and under); 62.6% are Millennials (aged 21 to 37); 24.2% are Gen Xers; and, surprisingly, 6.7% (slightly more than Gen Z!) are Baby Boomers or older.

From Gen Z to Baby Boomers and beyond, a large number of Canadians admit to distracted driving. In a survey earlier this year, 14% of respondents said they text or use instant messaging while driving and four in 10 make phone calls.

Then there are those willing to sneak a quick peek at their messages when at a traffic light: 41% said they’re likely to check messages while waiting.

It all adds up to trouble on our roads, which is why there are stiff penalties for distracted driving in the province. For a first conviction, a distracted driver will face:

• a fine of $615, if settled out of court
• a fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose
• three demerit points
• 3-day suspension

30.9% of Drivers with a Distracted Driving Ticket Have Been in a Collision

Few would dispute that distracted driving could lead to a collision, so it likely comes as no surprise that our analysis found that 30.9% of the drivers who said they have a distracted driving ticket on their record, also have an at-fault collision.

Admittedly, the collision may have nothing to do with the ticket. However, our analysis also looked at drivers without a distracted driving ticket and found only 12.9% of these individuals have been in an at-fault collision.

Coincidence? Probably not, because if you’re willing to take risks in one area, you’re likely willing to take risks elsewhere too.

It’s Worth Repeating: Don’t Drive Distracted

Distracted driving has serious consequences. Paying attention to what is happening around you and avoiding distractions and bad driving habits not only makes the roads safer for you and your passengers, but also for everyone else around you.