Ontario drivers have earned something of a reputation as dangerous and aggressive, and a new study backs up this perception with data showing that most motorists in the province willfully engage in risky behaviour on the road.

The new study on dangerous roads from CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) shows that a slim majority of motorists in the province admit to engaging in dangerous driving behaviour in just the past year alone.

The study found that a shocking 55 per cent of Ontario drivers admitted to risky and unsafe driving in the past year — which would suggest the true figure is even higher.

Even more concerning was the segment of young drivers aged 18 to 34 surveyed in the study, where 61 per cent admitted to unsafe driving in the past year.

"Dangerous driving behaviours, such as speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving continue to pose significant risks on our roads," said Michael Stewart, community relations consultant for CAA SCO.

"These actions not only endanger the lives of the drivers themselves but also put all road users at risk. We must prioritize road safety by promoting responsible driving habits."

Most respondents surveyed identified speeding as the most dangerous behaviour they engaged in, with 41 per cent admitting to overshooting speed limits on Ontario roads.

The next most common behaviour Ontario drivers admitted to was distracted driving at 20 per cent, followed by unsafe lane changes at nine per cent, aggressive driving at eight per cent, and running red lights at seven per cent.

These figures could be skewed by respondents unwilling to admit that they break the rules of the road, while drivers were much more readily willing to call out others on the road.

Stewart acknowledges this, saying, "The data tells us that it is far more prevalent for people to see others driving dangerously rather than admitting that they themselves are carrying out the same behaviour."

A staggering 84 per cent of respondents say they frequent witnessed others speeding, followed by 76 per cent regularly spotting unsafe lane changes, 76 per cent for aggressive driving, 73 per cent for distracted driving and 56 per cent for running red lights.

So, how does all of this behaviour affect drivers' willingness to duke it out with other motorists on Ontario highways?

The survey found that 86 per cent of motorists feel safe driving on residential streets, while only 68 per cent felt safe driving on highways with 110 km/h speed limits.

"Ontarians frequently witness dangerous driving behaviours, especially on highways," said Stewart, "the important thing to remember is that the risk of collision can increase when travelling at higher speeds."