Reduced Collisions in Ontario due to Covid-19
We have seen many major effects on all our lives, in the past two years coinciding with the covid-19 pandemic, including driver safety.
You may have heard media sources claim that there are fewer vehicle collisions in Ontario during the covid-19 crisis. You are probably wondering why. This video, by Azimi Law, provides two explanations for this fact. First, it is because people are commuting to work less – working from home or working remotely. Second, it is because many Ontarians own many vehicles but have decided – either due to safety reasons, economic reasons, or otherwise – to stick to only one of their vehicles, cancelling the insurance policies for their other vehicles. Both of these things mean that there are less vehicles on the road and so, less chance for collisions.
An alarming statistic is that, while vehicle collisions have decreased by 26% from 2019 to 2020, the fatality rate has increased by 22%. According to a press release by the OPP on March 17, 2021, a significant number of the fatalities were preventable and are attributed to careless or dangerous driving. 62 were linked to speed, 51 to drug or alcohol use and 45 to driver inattention.
According to the Ontario Biodiversity Council’s website, wildlife collisions (mostly involving vehicles colliding with large vertebrates such as deer), about 14,000 per year but steadily climbing, continue to pose a risk for motorists across Canada. While erecting wildlife warning signs (e.g. indicating deer) has had no discernible impact on reducing these collisions, measures adopted by the MTO since 2005 – including crossing structures and fencing – has proved more effective.
Even if you hear that there are fewer collisions, it is important to remain safe. Make sure to abide by the rules of the road, refrain from driving while impaired, and pay due attention when driving.