One third of Canadian drivers text at red lights, according to the CAA

According to a survey conducted during the last month in Canada, 33% of respondents have admitted to texting at least once while they were stopped at a red light.

We mustn’t forget that the use of a cell phone is not only prohibited at the wheel, even if we’re stopped at a traffic light, but remains a distraction well after putting the device away.

• Also: Watch: Lexus Shows How Dangerous Texting While Driving Can Be
• Also: CAA Poll: 55% of Ontarians Admit to Driving Dangerously

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in the U.S. conducted various researches on distracted driving, including one on in-car infotainment systems. Despite being equipped with voice recognition functionality, after using it, the driver will be affected by cognitive distraction for up to 27 seconds. In other words, even after putting our phone away or finishing the use of our car’s voice command system, our concentration on the road ahead will still be affected for about 30 seconds, including when we engage in an intersection after the light turned green.

Every Canadian province and two out of three territories have adopted a law prohibiting the use of cell phones at the wheel, while British Columbia and Ontario also ban the use of any handheld entertainment device while driving. In all cases, demerit points are registered to the offender’s driving record.

The highest fines are handed out by the provinces of Ontario, B.C. and Prince Edward Island, between about $500 and $1,200, while the most “affordable” fines are given out in Quebec, which vary between $80 and $100.

In short, don’t text while driving, even if your vehicle is stopped at a red light. And if you really feel the need to use your cell phone while you’re at the wheel, without getting pulled over by the police, move to Nunavut.