Police are reporting an increase in the number of collisions and fatalities on Ontario roads between 2021 and 2022.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released its annual traffic data, and while traffic volume was up in 2022 over 2021, “the increases in fatalities noted in the data should not be viewed or accepted as an inevitable outcome of more people out on roads,” the force stated in a news release.
“By any measure, a life lost in a preventable collision or other traffic incident is one too many. The most important takeaway from the data is the need for every driver and passenger to eliminate all manner of risk, as this remains the most critical factor in preventing the senseless loss of life.
The following data applies to all OPP jurisdictions.
Roads
Motor-vehicle fatalities
2022: 359
2021: 315
Total number of collisions
2022: 74,173
2021: 60,659
Lead contributing factors (number of people killed)
Speed-related
2022: 85
2021: 81
Inattentive-related
2022: 61
2021: 60
Alcohol/drug-related
2022: 64
2021: 32
Seatbelt-related
2022: 61
2021: 47
Motorcycle fatalities
2022: 44
2021: 35
Lead contributing factors (number of people killed)
2022: Lost control (seven)
2021: Speed - too fast for the conditions (six)
Fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles
2022: 87
2021: 87
Lead contributing factors (number of people killed)
2022: Lost control (16)
2021: Speed — too fast for conditions (10)
Pedestrian fatalities
2022: 29
2021: 40
Waterways
Boating fatalities
2022: 29
2021: 27
Primary causes (number of people killed)
2022: Capsized vessel (13), falling overboard (nine)
2021: Capsized vessel (13), falling overboard (10)
Number of deceased vessel occupants not wearing a personal flotation device
2022: 26
2021: 24
Trails
Off-road vehicle fatalities
2022: 27
2021: 22
Lead contributing factors (number of people killed)
2022: Lost control (seven)
2021: Lost control (nine)
Snowmobile fatalities
2021-22 season: 14
2020-21 season: 15
Lead contributing factors (number of people killed)
2021-22 season: Speed — too fast for conditions (six)
2020-21 season: Speed — too fast for conditions (seven)
Police have provided the following advice to help keep people safe.
- Recognize adopting and maintaining safe, lawful actions and behaviours falls on everyone who uses roadways, highways, waterways and trails.
- Make a lifelong commitment to being a responsible driver and traveller, whether by car, bike, foot, boat, off-road vehicle or other motor vehicle. By doing so, you contribute to the overall safety of everyone who travels within our communities.
- Recognize that traffic safety is a shared responsibility.