Royal Canadian Mounted Police
www.rcmp.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Activity #2: Myths vs. Facts of Distracted Driving (11-12.2 Handout)
For each distracted driving statement below, circle whether you think it is a myth or a fact.
Statement #1
Driver's using hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into a collision serious enough to cause injury over drivers who are focused on the road.
Myth
Fact
Statement #2
In some provinces a person can be fined up to $2,000.00 for distracted driving. They could also have their license suspended, be sentenced to driver rehab, or be charged with dangerous driving and face possible jail time.
Myth
Fact
Statement #3
In three seconds, driving 60 kilometres per hour, you travel 50 metres – that's half a length of a football field.
Myth
Fact
Statement #4
Reading maps or other material while driving is considered a driver distraction.
Myth
Fact
Statement #5
If you are stopped at a red light it is okay to check your text messages.
Myth
Fact
Statement #6
Even when drivers use a hands-free phone, they are less aware of the traffic around them. They tend to react more slowly to a critical event or worse – they may not detect the danger at all.
Myth
Fact
Statement #7
Drivers talking on cellphones are in many cases just as impaired as drunk drivers.
Myth
Fact
Statement #8
Experienced drivers are no better at handling cellphone distraction than novice drivers.
Myth
Fact
Statement #9
It is okay to use your cellphone while driving as long as it does not take your focus off the road.
Myth
Fact
Statement #10
Driver distraction is a factor in 8 out of 10 (about 4 million) car crashes in North America each year.
Myth
Fact
