What’s New: In Brief (August 04, 2009)

The number of cars stolen in Quebec is decreasing, but the number of thefts of articles taken from inside cars is increasing, reports Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
More than 31,000 vehicles were reported stolen in Quebec in 2008, marking a decrease of 14% from 2007.
However, there were 40,107 thefts of articles taken from inside cars, marking a 9% increase over 2007, IBC reports.
Last year, Quebec insurers paid out Cdn$230 million in claims arising from car theft.

An Ipsos Reid survey found that 93% of British Columbia drivers admitted to participating in some sort of distracting behaviour while driving, reports ICBC.
Seventy-three per cent admitted to eating/and or drinking at the wheel, 69% to singing in the car and 66% to talking on a cell phone.
Rounding out the Top 10 distracting activities are:
•    picking one’s nose (30%);
•    smoking (24%);
•    fighting with passengers (20%);
•    texting (20%);
•    reading (16%);
•    entertaining children (14%); and
•    more than one of the above at the same time (17%).
The survey also found that older drivers (66 and above) are less likely to engage in distracting behaviours, while drivers 18-25 are the most likely to multi-task behind the wheel, an ICBC release says.