Did you know?
In Canada, motor vehicle collisions remain the second-leading cause of injury and hospitalization, and the third-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths.
Fatal motor vehicle collisions
Canada continues to see a troubling trend in fatal motor vehicle collisions. Most of these deaths are preventable, often resulting from speeding, driving under the influence or simply neglecting to wear a seatbelt.
My career in public safety spanned from 1986 to 2024, including my time with the Ontario Provincial Police and 37 years with the fire rescue service in both part-time and full-time capacities. Throughout my 38 years of responding to motor vehicle collisions, I never once unbuckled—nor witnessed another responder unbuckle—a deceased person who was wearing a seatbelt. My personal experience, shared by many of my colleagues in the emergency services, reinforces the undeniable truth: seatbelts are a critical factor in surviving a motor vehicle collision!
Motor vehicle collision (MVC) statistics
Transport Canada‘s National Collision Database contains data on all the reportable motor vehicle collisions in Canada that the provinces and territories provide each year. Every day, families throughout Canada are confronted by the devastating consequences of motor vehicle collisions. In 2023, the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,964; up 1.7% from 2022 (1,931) and the highest count in the last 10 years.
The fatal five: Recurring factors in roadway tragedies
Reflecting on over 60 years of life and 38 years as a first responder, I have seen the same contributing factors leading to fatal collisions time and time again. Despite advancements in vehicle safety, these five human behaviors remain the primary killers on our roads:
- Aggressive Driving & Speed: Driving too fast for conditions—whether it’s rain, fog, or snow—dramatically spikes collision risks. In Ontario, speeding is a factor in approximately one in four road deaths.
- Distracted Driving: Inattention is a growing epidemic. Whether it’s texting, eating, or “multitasking,” anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road is a threat to everyone on it.
- Driver Fatigue: Drowsy driving is a silent killer. Fatigue strips a driver of their focus, causing them to drift across lanes and suffer from “micro-sleeps.” During these gaps, a driver can travel long distances with zero memory of doing so.
- Tailgating: Following too closely is a daily occurrence on Canadian highways, yet the margin for error is razor thin. When the lead vehicle brakes, the consequences of tailgating are often tragic.
- Impairment: Alcohol and drugs continue to sever the link between judgment and reaction time, turning vehicles into unguided projectiles.
A veteran’s perspective
After nearly four decades of responding to these tragic roadway scenes, the most difficult reality to accept is that the “fatal five” factors are choices. We don’t have to keep seeing the same “old” causes if we prioritize the responsibility of being behind the wheel.
Mindset of a responsible driver
Safe driving is more than just technical skill and knowing the rules, it is a commitment to the wellbeing of everyone on the road. When safety is a core value, drivers remain disciplined even under pressure—resisting distractions and respecting traffic laws regardless of the situation.
A driver’s perception of risk is a critical factor. Awareness of potential hazards directly dictates speed and overall behavior. Unfortunately, when society glamorizes risky driving, it can undermine these individual efforts. True responsibility means rejecting those norms and prioritizing preparation such as checking weather conditions, maintaining your vehicle and ensuring you are well-rested before getting behind the wheel.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
