Toronto, Ontario — A new study based on data from Transport Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic suggests that road fatalities are on the rise after a 30 year decline across the country.
Specifically, the study—presented by Preszler Injury Lawyers—indicates that after 30 years of decline, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in Canada increased by six percent in 2022.
Other overall findings from the study indicate that the number of fatalities in Canada is estimated to have reached 2,004 in 2023 and is projected to increase to 2,045 by the end of 2024. Similarly, rural car crashes represent 25 percent of all traffic collisions in Canada, but account for 54 percent of all fatalities.
When looking at regional insights, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have seen the highest provincial increases year-over-year from 2022 to 2023, with Manitoba seeing an increase of 22 percent and Newfoundland and Labrador seeing an increase of 16 percent.
Comparatively, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan both saw record road death declines in the same period at a decrease of five percent.
And, when looking at specific Canadian cities, Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta saw the biggest year-over-year increases in road deaths in 2023 at 86 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
However, despite this data, the study also outlines how “even with the most recent uptick in road fatalities, the overarching trend in Canadian road safety is overwhelmingly positive. Based on the official statistics from Transport Canada, the number of fatalities on Canadian roads in the last 30 years has been decreasing by two percent annually.”
To read the full report, click here.
