Desjardins Survey Reveals Rising Complexity in Canadian Road Safety Risks
Event summary
- A national survey of nearly 4,000 Canadians by Desjardins Insurance highlights a convergence of road safety risks, including distraction, stress, and risky behaviors.
- 60% of respondents rank distracted driving as the top risk, with external factors (35%) now surpassing cell-phone distractions (32%).
- Nearly half (49%) report frequently feeling stressed or tired while driving, indicating mental load impacts safety.
- 85% recognize speeding as a major risk, yet 26% believe exceeding speed limits is acceptable.
The big picture
Desjardins' findings underscore a broader trend of increasing complexity in road safety, where traditional risks like distracted driving intersect with mental health and external stressors. As Canada's largest cooperative financial group ($524.3B AUM as of March 2026), Desjardins is well-positioned to influence policy and product innovation—but must balance actuarial precision with public safety advocacy.
What we're watching
- Behavioral Shifts
- How evolving sources of distraction will impact insurance underwriting and claims trends.
- Regulatory Response
- Whether governments will introduce stricter measures to address overlapping road safety risks.
- Insurer Strategy
- The pace at which Desjardins and peers adapt products or education programs to mitigate these pressures.