British Columbians think they can show a little less road rage in 2026.
ICBC has released a new survey that asked respondents about their driving goals for the coming year, and about 42 per cent said their top resolution for 2026 is showing more patience behind the wheel. The survey results were released Friday (Jan. 2).
Two-thirds of drivers said they are interested in setting a driving-related goal for 2026, while 24 per cent said they are highly interested in setting a goal.
Other driving-related resolutions include combining errands to save gas and time at 36 per cent, improving fuel efficiency through better driving habits like smoother braking and acceleration at 28 per cent, leaving earlier to be less rushed at 35 per cent and “simply to be less stressed while driving” at 31 per cent.
ICBC says the survey showed a desire for a calmer driving experience, with some drivers saying they’d give up everyday comforts for a stress-free commute. Thirty per cent of respondents said they would give up social media for a day, 29 per cent said they’d give up dining out or food delivery, 25 per cent said they’d give up online shopping and 20 per cent said they’d give up coffee.
However, environmental goals ranked lower among respondents looking to set goals for 2026. Seventeen per cent aim to drive less to reduce their carbon footprint, nine per cent aim to switch to an electric vehicle and six per cent intend to carpool more often.
But ICBC says active transportation goals are more popular, with 25 per cent planning to walk or cycle more and 13 per cent aiming to take public transit more frequently. The survey showed that more men than women are likely to make the change – 18 per cent compared to nine.
Fifty per cent of respondents also said safety is their biggest motivator for making a personal change.
ICBC added that 76 per cent of respondents believe that if everyone made a driving resolution, roads would be safer. Twenty-four per cent said staying focused on the road and 21 per cent said putting devices away would make the biggest impact.
