VANCOUVER – Some 88% of Canadians strongly or moderately support a ban on hand-held cell phones while driving, according to a new Angus Reid Strategies survey.
Seven in ten respondents (71%) indicated they thought prohibiting cell phone use while behind the wheel would make the roads and highways much safer for driving.
Respondents from Atlantic Canada (95%) along with Manitoba and Saskatchewan (90%) and older adults (77%) are most in favour of the ban, according to the survey.
Quebecers (59%) and Albertans (62%) are least likely to believe a ban will lead to safer roads, while Canadians aged 18 to 34 (83%) and those with a household income of more than $100,000 (83%) are least supportive, the survey showed.
Three provinces – Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador – have already banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
The online survey was conducted from May 28-29 among a randomly selected sample of 1,006 Canadians. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
