New statistics show that fewer people are dying on Canada's roads. The latest edition of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics - released annually by Transport Canada - provides statistics on motor vehicle collisions and casualties for the year 2003, as well as historical information dating back to 1984. The figures reveal that there are 21.7 million licensed drivers and over 18.8 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads - more than ever before. In spite of this, collisions and casualties decreased by five per cent from the previous year, and injuries were down by three per cent. Although road fatalities still represent over 90 per cent of all transportation-related fatalities, Canada's road safety record has steadily improved over the years. Since 1980, road traffic deaths have declined by almost 50 per cent. The statistics, collected by Transport Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, show that in the year 2003, there were 2,496 fatal collisions leading to 2,778 deaths. Motor vehicle occupants accounted for 76.6 per cent of all road user fatalities, with 1,473 drivers and 656 passengers killed. In addition, 378 pedestrians, 178 motorcyclists and 45 bicyclists were also killed on the road. (Author/publisher)
Abstract