Toronto has ranked the safest city to drive in Ontario, according to a recent study by insurance comparison website MyChoice.
The findings come amid alarming statistics from the Ontario Provincial Police, which reported that 2023 marked the deadliest year on Ontario’s highways in over 15 years, with car collision-related deaths surpassing numbers seen since 2007.
Using internal data from over 150,000 car insurance quotes since 2020, MyChoice came up with the ranking of Ontario cities after assessing accident rates and traffic violations like speeding and distracted driving.
Toronto scored 4.5 out of 5, with the city’s low accident and infraction rates contributing to its top position. Other areas that fared well include East York, North York, and Whitby.
In contrast, Brantford emerged as the most dangerous city to drive in, with just 0.7 out of 5, reflecting high rates of accidents and traffic violations. Kingston, Burlington, and Brampton followed closely, scoring similarly low marks.
Here are the full rankings:
|
Rank |
City |
Score |
|
1 |
Toronto |
4.5 |
|
2 |
East York |
4.2 |
|
3 |
North York |
4.2 |
|
4 |
Whitby |
4.2 |
|
5 |
Scarborough |
3.9 |
|
6 |
Markham |
3.8 |
|
7 |
Mississauga |
3.7 |
|
8 |
Ottawa |
3.6 |
|
9 |
Etobicoke |
3.6 |
|
10 |
Richmond Hill |
3.4 |
|
Rank |
City |
Score |
|
1 |
Brantford |
0.7 |
|
2 |
Kingston |
0.7 |
|
3 |
Burlington |
0.8 |
|
4 |
Brampton |
1.1 |
|
5 |
Hamilton |
1.3 |
|
6 |
Ajax |
1.3 |
|
7 |
Bolton |
1.3 |
|
8 |
Barrie |
1.5 |
|
9 |
Windsor |
1.7 |
|
10 |
Pickering |
1.8 |
The study also found notable differences between metropolitan areas and mid-sized cities. For example, major urban centers like Toronto and North York reported significantly fewer accidents and infractions compared to smaller cities such as Kingston and Brantford.
Aren Mirzaian, CEO of MyChoice, offers a practical suggestion for Ontario drivers: “One major recommendation that we have for Ontario drivers is to get winter tires. Not only will this make driving much safer for people on the roads this winter, but it's also a smart financial decision.”
Despite Ontario’s no-fault insurance system, MyChoice stressed that driving habits—particularly in high-risk cities—can still significantly impact car insurance premiums. Maintaining a clean driving record in these areas could lead to lower costs for drivers.
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