As winter weather brings snow, rain, and strong winds across Canada, a new study has highlighted that drivers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia are at the highest risk for road traffic injuries.
The research, based on data from Transport Canada, revealed that these provinces are particularly vulnerable, with rates of injuries far surpassing the national average.
Manitoba leads with the highest rate of traffic injuries, reporting 786.4 injuries per 100,000 licensed drivers, an alarming 85.4% increase from the national average of 424.1. In 2022, approximately 7,251 injuries were reported among the province’s 951,900 drivers.
Saskatchewan ranks second with 681.3 injuries per 100,000 drivers, a 60.6% increase over the national rate. The province saw 5,742 injuries in 2022 among its 836,714 licensed drivers. Nova Scotia follows in third place with 636.9 injuries per 100,000 drivers, reflecting a 50.1% increase from the national rate. The province experienced 5,053 injuries among 781,904 drivers.
|
Rank |
Province |
Estimated Total Injuries |
Estimated Licensed Drivers |
Injuries Per 100,000 Licensed Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Manitoba |
7,521 |
951,900 |
786 |
|
2 |
Saskatchewan |
5,742 |
836,714 |
681 |
|
3 |
Nova Scotia |
5,053 |
781,904 |
637 |
|
4 |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
2,119 |
389,556 |
539 |
|
5 |
Alberta |
17,842 |
3,382,713 |
524 |
|
6 |
Quebec |
28,662 |
5,862,096 |
485 |
|
7 |
New Brunswick |
2,688 |
554,760 |
484 |
|
8 |
Prince Edward Island |
500 |
127,583 |
389 |
|
9 |
British Columbia |
12,762 |
3,771,944 |
335 |
|
10 |
Ontario |
35,688 |
11,148,824 |
319 |
Source: Preszler Injury Lawyers
The findings underscore the heightened danger posed to drivers in these provinces, especially as weather conditions continue to deteriorate. According to Ontario Personal Injury Lawyers, Preszler Injury Lawyers, which conducted the study, these figures highlight the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
“The data shows that drivers in provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia must remain extra vigilant,” said a spokesperson for Preszler Injury Lawyers.
“The local Canadian governments and drivers have a role to play in reducing the risk of road traffic injuries. The governments must focus on improving road surface conditions, ensuring clear signage, and implementing better traffic management systems. To stay safe on these roads, drivers should remember to closely follow road traffic laws and take preventative steps to ensure the safety of themselves and others.”
While these three provinces top the list for road traffic injuries, other areas also face high risks. Newfoundland and Labrador ranks fourth with 539.1 injuries per 100,000 drivers, while Alberta is fifth with 523.9 injuries per 100,000. Quebec and New Brunswick follow closely behind, with Quebec reporting 28,662 injuries and a rate of 484.9 per 100,000 drivers, and New Brunswick recording 2,688 injuries with a rate of 484.3.
In contrast, Ontario has the lowest rate of road traffic injuries at 319.4 per 100,000 drivers, almost half the rate of Manitoba. The province also saw the highest total number of injuries in 2022, with 35,688.
The study utilized data from Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, analyzing reports of road traffic injuries in 2022 across Canadian provinces. The number of injuries was compared to the number of licensed drivers in each province to calculate the rate of injuries per 100,000 drivers.
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