On April 9, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) released 2017 traffic data which showed a “dramatic increase” in fatalities from traffic, boating, and snowmobile accidents. Any Ontario personal injury lawyer that represents traffic injury victims understands the potentially devastating impacts of these types of accidents.
The OPP responded to 68,794 traffic collisions resulting in 343 fatalities in 2017; in 2016, 307 people died in 67,450 crashes. Disappointingly, the OPP saw an increase in three of what it calls the ‘Big Four’ causal factors: inattention while driving, excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, and alcohol or drug impairment. Twenty-one more deaths were attributed to excessive speed in 2017 than 2016, and 19 more were attributed to inattention. One less death was attributed to drug or alcohol impairment.
Transport trucks were involved in 76 collisions resulting in 91 deaths last year, a ten-year high. Of those 91 fatalities, just 18 were occupants of the trucks, while 76 were in another vehicle and four were pedestrians.
Fatalities among motorcyclists, snowmobilers, and boaters also hit unfortunate peaks last year. Forty-eight motorcyclists were killed on Ontario’s roads, including 27 who were not at fault; both numbers mark ten-year highs.
Twenty-nine snowmobilers died in crashes, the most ever recorded in Ontario. Excessive speed and driver inattention were common factors in these accidents, just as they were in road collisions.
Marine fatalities hit an eight-year high of 31 last year, with many deaths caused by falling overboard while not wearing a life jacket.
Twenty-two people were killed in off-road vehicle accidents, the same number as in 2016.
Somewhat surprisingly given the current state of road safety in the provincial capital, fewer pedestrians were killed on Ontario’s road in 2017 (27) than in 2016 (39).
Not released by the OPP were the number of individuals seriously injured in road, off-road, and boating accidents in 2017. These individuals can seek compensation with the help of an Ontario personal injury lawyer.
“The OPP is saddened and disappointed to see 2017 mark one of the worst years in recent history for fatalities on and off the road,” OPP Commissioner J.V.N. Hawkes said in the release. “As is the case every year, the majority of these deaths were preventable and attributed to poor driving behaviours. Until all drivers respect and observe road, off-road and marine laws that are designed to keep us all safe, these tragic deaths will continue.”
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a traffic accident, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer. Our team can assess the validity of your claim and help you on your road to recovery.
Image credit: Michael/Flickr
Greg Neinstein
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