25 Car Accident Statistics in Canada

Very few people realize that driving represents one of the world’s most dangerous activities that hundreds of millions of people conduct daily. This article will highlight some of the most important car accident statistics in Canada.. We want to help paint a clearer picture of how safe the roads are in this country and how common accidents are.

As such, some of the main topics include but are not limited to, accident trends, crash statistics by regions, auto vs. motorcycle stats, gender-related data, and more.

With this in mind, the main purpose of our article is to encourage deep thought on the matter, in hopes that it will help reduce the number of car accidents.

Recent Car Accident Statistics in Canada

1. Compared to 2019 data, the number of accident fatalities decreased by 1% in 2020.

(Government of Canada)

That said, we can assume that efforts meant to reduce the occurrence of accident fatalities are paying off, and the current trends are looking good. To be more precise, 1,745  fatalities happened in 2020, compared to 1,762 in 2019.

2. Compared to data from 2019, the number of severe injuries in accidents decreased by 12% in 2020.

(Government of Canada)

Based on this, it isn’t only the number of car accident fatalities that has reduced, but also the number of severe injuries. In this case, we can observe a sharper decline, which is great news for roadside safety. Statistics showcase that 7,868 severe injuries took place in 2020, as compared to 8,917 in 2019.

3. Long-term trends suggest that both car fatalities and severe injuries have actively decreased over the last couple of years.

(Government of Canada)

Here are some numbers meant to help put these number of vehicle accidents into perspective:

4. According to motor vehicle collision statistics released by the Canadian Government, the number of injuries as a result of car collisions is also decreasing.

(Government of Canada)

With this in mind, here are some relevant stats meant to better explain the positive trend: 

• In 2005, 145,559 people suffered injuries as a result of a car crash
• In 2010, 123,615 people suffered injuries as a result of a car crash
• In 2017, 112,479 people suffered injuries as a result of a car crash.
• In 2020, 101,572 people suffered injuries as a result of a crash.

So what’s causing these reductions in numbers of motor vehicle accidents? To put things into perspective, it is important for us to briefly discuss the reasons responsible for this decrease in severe injuries and fatalities.

Usually, lower numbers are determined by a combination of several factors, including increased awareness about safety procedures to consider in traffic, safer and more reliable cars with assistance systems, stricter testing for new drivers, and improved infrastructure, as pinpointed by stats on traffic accidents.

5. In 2020, out of all roadside fatalities, 50.5% were drivers, 15.2% were passengers, 15.2% were pedestrians, and 2.9% were bicyclists.

(Government of Canada)

Based on this data, we can determine that drivers and passengers expose themselves to the highest risk of roadside fatalities, followed by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Car Accident Statistics by Province

6. The following table should give readers a better idea of accidents involving cars, fatalities, and injuries on the Canadian roads, by provinces.

(BC Road Safety Stats, Alberta Government, Ontario Government, Montreal Gazette)

7. In 2020, there were 23,689 car accidents in Ontario.

(Ontario Road Safety Report)

The province has around 14.75 million residents and about 10.62 million drivers. Unfortunately, 42,764 of them had an accident in 2020. This had led to 31,538 injuries.

What’s even sadder is that 505 fatal collisions took the lives of 535 people. There is no doubt that we all need to pay more attention while driving.

Motorcycle Deaths in Canada

8. In 2020, 242 Canadian motorcyclists were involved in fatal accidents on public roads.

(Government of Canada)

The same source showcases that these numbers tend to oscillate throughout the years. For instance, 190 motorcyclists were involved in a fatal crash in 2014, 208 in 2015, 205 in 2016, and 191 in 2017. Generally, motorcyclists represent more than 10% of the number of roadside casualties in Canada.

9. Driving statistics show that Canadian motorcyclists are 13.5 times more likely to be involved in a car crash than car drivers.

(Fortnine)

Driving a motorcycle is undoubtedly fun. However, there are many dangers associated. People worldwide are aware of the risks of riding a bike, but somehow fail to take precautions.

Given the insufficient protection offered by this vehicle, it makes sense that the number of traffic fatalities Canada records among motorcyclists is high. Unfortunately, this still doesn’t stop numerous motorcycle fans from enjoying riding one in an unsafe manner.

10. Reports indicate that motorcycle speed was the main factor contributing to fatalities, causing 12% of deaths.

(Fortnine)

Similarly, it is well-known that motorcyclists tend to speed. Therefore, 12% of motorcycling deaths are caused by breaking the speed limit.

Traffic Deaths in Canada and Gender

11. A report published by the Canadian Government states that there were 13,84 million male and 13.1 million female drivers in 2020.

(Government of Canada)

Based on this statistic, common sense would predict that men are involved in slightly more crashes as compared to women, given that there are more men behind the wheel. Despite this aspect, it is important to point out that men drive considerably more miles when compared to women.

However, they also tend to engage in riskier driving practices, as opposed to their female counterparts, thus leading to more crashes, as indicated by stats on traffic collision.

12. In 2013, 1,493 men died because of a car crash, compared to 679 women during the same year.

(StatCan)

With this in mind, this statistic proves the arguments that have been outlined above. Despite the similar number of men and women who drive on Canadian roads, men are indeed more likely to get involved and die in car accidents.

Traffic Fatalities in Canada

13. According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, a staggering 5.2 fatalities occurred per 100,000 people in 2018.

(CACP)

This statistic also showcases that the rate is similar to the ones reported in previous years. In contrast, the number of fatalities calculated based on a billion kilometers traveled was situated at 4.9 (which is a 50% reduction in Canada car accident deaths, compared to 2000).

14. 27% of fatalities that occur on Canadian roads are a direct result of speeding.

(CACP)

Speed kills – it’s a simple statement, yet millions of people throughout the world choose to disregard it. Similarly, it is also important to note that speeding leads to 19% of severe injuries when driving, so it is often best to lay off the gas and simply respect the speed limit or the general flow of traffic.

15. Speeding-related car accident deaths in Canada are most likely to occur to drivers aged 16-24.

(CACP)

With this in mind, younger drivers are often unaware of the dangers associated with activities like aggressive driving and speeding. A report issued by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police shows that 40% of speeding drivers were aged 16-24.

Furthermore, 80% of young adult passengers who were killed in a crash due to speeding were in the car with a similar-aged driver.

Impaired Driving Statistics Canada

16. In 2014, 16% of accidents leading to a severe injury involved a driver who had been drinking.

(CACP)

The disadvantages of drinking alcohol and driving are well-known, given that inebriation reduces reaction time, creates brain fog, and leads to impulsive and aggressive behavior. Across the world, hundreds of thousands of people die because of drunk drivers.

17. In 2008, 40% of car accident deaths in Canada happened because drivers had consumed alcohol before going behind the wheel.

(CACP)

Luckily, things have improved since then, as more and more people became aware of the dangers associated with drunk driving. The same report indicates that 60% of these collisions involved a single vehicle.

An interesting aspect is that for drunk drivers over the .08 alcohol in blood threshold, 90% of accidents involved only one vehicle.

18. Car crash statistics show that drug-related driving offense occurs every three hours.

(CACP)

This is yet another issue that needs to be strictly addressed by authorities worldwide, given the fact that accidents produced by drug-impaired drivers are becoming more and more common. For instance, a survey concluded that one in four Canadian cannabis users tend to drive while under the influence of the substance.

Similarly, drivers operating under this substance are twice as likely to get involved in a car crash, as compared to those who drive sober. They also often flee the scene and do not report the accident to the police.

19. In 2015, drug-impaired drivers caused 2,786 car accidents in Canada.

(CACP)

The exact details concerning the number of accidents leading to severe injury or death are not known at this time, yet several hundred people die on a yearly basis because of this practice.

In regards to gender, it has been reported that men are 2.5 more likely to operate a vehicle while impaired by cannabis when compared to women. Therefore, this also increases the chances for men to get involved in car accidents.

Distracted Driving Statistics Canada

20. A research study conducted by TELUS WISE showcases that distracted driving is bound to slow reaction times by 35%.

(CACP)

This statistic is extremely important for people who have the habit of operating their vehicles while texting or browsing their phones.

Of course, this is a punishable offense throughout Canada, yet more educational efforts are required to further curb this practice, which leads to tens of thousands of car accidents.

21. The same research indicated that distracted driving increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident by 500%.

(CACP)

This is a massive increase when compared to non-distracted driving, and even higher when compared to accident likelihood rates for those who drive while impaired by cannabis and other psychoactive substances.

Based on this, drivers should be made aware of the huge risks they expose themselves to when driving distracted. After all, the same practice reduces general awareness by 50% and, in turn, leads to an increased number of car accident deaths per year in Canada.

To put things into perspective, the main distractions associated with accidents include but are not limited to, texting, talking on the phone, reading (either documents or smartphone texts), applying and removing makeup, alongside dialing on smartphones and other handheld devices.

22. Car crash statistics show that 20% of fatal collisions are caused by fatigued drivers.

(CACP)

Fatigue is bound to reduce attention, reaction times, and clear thinking while behind the wheel. Based on this, it is no surprise that this represents a contributing factor to many of the accidents that take place on Canadian roads.

The same report showcases that 60% of drivers have admitted that every once in a while, they drive while under the mental and physical stress caused by fatigue.

Car Accident Statistics in Canada: Other Relevant Data

23. In 2018, 22.7% of accidents were the result of one car crashing into another.

(The Star)

On the other hand, it is important to mention that 7.9% of car accidents involved one vehicle only. Other causes include but are not limited to, acts of nature, hitting a parked car, hitting a tree, or hitting a pedestrian. The latter type is the rarest, given that only 0.4% of crashes occur like this, as reported by stats concerning car accidents in Toronto.

24. Drivers aged between 25 and 34 are most likely to be involved in a car accident with deaths or severe injuries.

(Government of Canada)

Based on this, out of all age groups, 25-34-year old drivers account for 18.9% of fatalities, and 21% of severe injuries.

Other age groups that have similar risk factors include people older than 65 for fatalities, and those older than 35-44 for severe injuries, as they are also more likely to be involved in car accidents.

25. Passengers aged 35-44 are most likely to be involved in a fatal car accident in Canada.

(Government of Canada)

With this in mind, 13.5% of passenger fatalities occur for those in this age group. In terms of severe injuries, the 25-34 age group holds the highest risk. On the other hand, passengers aged 0-4 are the least likely to be involved in an accident that leads to death or severe injury.

This aspect is mostly due to the extra care that drivers exercise while driving with young kids, but also thanks to the added safety provided by car seats designed for children.

Car Accident Statistics in Canada—Conclusion

Based on everything that has been outlined so far, we hope that these statistics will help paint a clearer picture regarding the safety of the roads in Canada. Despite the fact that thousands of people still die and are injured on a yearly basis, the numbers are steadily decreasing, thus showcasing the results of the efforts made to reduce roadside fatalities.

Similarly, these car accident statistics should also help put the main causes of accidents into perspective, thus contributing to drivers’ education and awareness.

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