Road Safety Monitor 2020: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel Behaviour & Road Safety

The attitudes and travel behavior of Canadian drivers in relation to COVID-19 are examined in this fact sheet. The data is based on the Traffic Injury Research Foundation's (TIRF's) Road Safety Monitor, a public opinion poll conducted in September 2020 of 1500 Canadians. Results revealed that 23.3% of respondents said their preferred method of travel had changed during the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, 42.2% of respondents preferred to travel by personal vehicle and 41.2% by public transit. During the pandemic, the personal vehicle as preferred method increased to 69.9% with only 4.4% using public transit. Walking as a preferred method increased 121.2% and cycling 152.1%. The use of rideshare or taxi services decreased by 55.7%. In terms of driving behavior, as compared to before the pandemic, (1) 5.5% of respondents reported they were more likely to excessively exceed the speed limit, 16.9% were less likely to excessively exceed the speed limit, and 77.5% reported no change;(2) 2.4% were more likely to drive within two hours of consuming alcohol, 22.2% less likely, and 75.4% no change;(3) 2.2% were more likely to drive within two hours of using drugs;and (4) 4.2% were more likely to be distracted while driving, 9.1% reported they had more difficulty focusing while driving during the pandemic, 79.3% reported no change in level of distraction, and 16.5% said they were less likely to be distracted.