Many Canadians continue to believe that drivers should be restricted from using their hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel, a new Angus Reid Strategies poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 88 per cent of respondents either “strongly” or “moderately” support a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

In addition, 77 per cent of Canadians think this prohibition would make the country’s roads and highways much safer.

Respondents in Atlantic Canada (94%) and Quebec (90%) hold the highest level of support for the cell phone ban, along with women (89%), Canadians over the age of 55 (92%) and university graduates (89%).

Atlantic Canadians also lead the way in believing that a ban would lead to safer roads (88%), while respondents aged 18-34 (71%) appear to be more skeptical.

The poll also reveals that 68 per cent of Canadians own or use a hand-held cell phone on a regular basis—with the largest number of users in Alberta (84%) and British Columbia (79%). In turn, Quebec (58%) houses the lowest proportion of recurrent cell phone users.

Three Canadian provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec—have already enacted laws that prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving. In October, the Ontario government tabled legislation that would force motorists to use hands-free, voice-activated equipment when making calls on their cell phones. This month, Manitoba announced its own cell phone ban in the Throne Speech.

The results show little movement since the first Angus Reid Strategies poll on this topic was conducted in May. The proportion of respondents who believe a ban would make Canadian roads safer increased by six points in six months.

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