1 in 5 Windsor drivers found to be distracted, study shows

A new study from the University of Windsor shines a light on the prevalence of distracted driving in the region.

Dr. Francesco Biondi, an associate professor in human factors at the university, said the city has a “big problem” with inattentive driving.

The study found about 20 per cent of drivers were exhibiting some form of distraction.

“Most common distractions are talking on a cell phone, texting,” Biondi said.

Conducted in partnership with Windsor police, researchers stood by the roadside and counted drivers who showed signs of being distracted or aggressive. They collected data in the summer and fall of 2024 and the Winter of 2025.

Alongside phone usage, Biondi said drivers often groom themselves, eat, reach for objects or use their in-car touchscreen systems.

“So even though this technology is available in our cars, we may believe that it’s safe to use, but indeed it’s not,” he noted.

Researchers focused on school zones and Business Improvement Areas throughout the city because of the high levels of foot traffic.

Biondi said there is often a high concentration of bicyclists, children and other vulnerable road users.

“There is a much greater attention to curbing distracted driving in these areas where the risk of collisions and the safety risk are enhanced,” Biondi noted.

Drivers most likely to be exhibiting some form of distraction are those in larger vehicles, such as trucks or an SUV, the study found.

The trend is believed to be caused by a perceived sense of safety due to the size of the vehicle.

“So there may be these misconceptions that because they drive a bigger vehicle … the risk of injuries may be lower,” he said.

“That may create a vicious loop where drivers say, ‘well, I can even get distracted because, you know, the safety risks are less.’”

With this research, Biondi said police will be able to create more informative education and enforcement campaigns to try and cut down on distracted driving.

The study was done in part through funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.