The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and the end of Daylight Savings Time means that many of your customers are now driving or commuting during darker hours.
The shift in seasons also raises its own set of concerns among Canadians. In fact, RSA Canada and Gallagher conducted a survey of Greater Toronto Area road users and found that they are most concerned about the following seasonal hazards when navigating the streets during fall:
- Frost making the roads slippery (35 per cent);
- Sun glare (sunrise/set during commute) (26 per cent);
- Shorter daylight hours (25 per cent).
Looking forward to the winter, 98% of cyclists surveyed and 79% of drivers surveyed say that they typically cycle or drive less because of fluctuating or treacherous conditions.
“When the seasons change, it’s important to remember that road conditions also shift, leading to reduced visibility and increased risk,” says Karen Mican, Senior Vice President, Claims and Chief Claims Officer. “Remaining alert to shifting road conditions and leaving plenty of time to get from point A to B are great ways for your customers to mitigate those risks.”
The survey also found that 50% of cyclists, 44% of pedestrians, and 44% of drivers feel less safe on the roads after Daylight Savings Time ends, when night falls earlier and most of the evening hours take place in darkness.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe, whether driving, cycling or walking,” says Bob Manson, President, Personal Insurance Canada at Gallagher. “Behavioural changes, when paired with infrastructure changes, can lead to a safer road experience for all of us.”
Gallagher joined RSA Canada’s signature road safety movement, TruceTO, in early 2020 and the two organizations have partnered to conduct consumer research and share road safety tips and education with customers. Unlike other road safety campaigns that only focus on one group – cyclist, driver or pedestrian – TruceTO takes a 360° view of the issue and addresses how everyone on the road can – and must – each play their part to keep our streets safe through behavioural changes.
Here are a few road safety tips, from RSA Canada and Gallagher, which you can share with your customers:
