Human errors, like following another vehicle too closely and failing to obey traffic lights, are the leading cause of car accidents in Canada, according to a new study. New data found that 65.9% of all accidents were caused by human error.
New research is highlighting just how dangerous driving conditions can become when snow, ice, reduced visibility, and longer hours of darkness combine with risky driver behaviour.
Data collated by Preszler Injury Lawyers from Transport Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB) indicates the leading causes of deadly crashes in Canada.
Human factors are the leading cause of deadly car crashes in Canada, accounting for 65.9% of accidents. Driver errors that result in accidents include following another vehicle too closely, failing to obey traffic lights, failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs, misjudging the speed of approaching vehicles, and misjudging the ability to stop, turn, or merge.
During the winter months, human error becomes significantly more dangerous because cold-weather conditions drastically reduce drivers’ margins for error. Snow, ice, and slush limit tire grip and increase stopping distances, meaning common mistakes such as following too closely or misjudging braking distance are far more likely to result in collisions.
Shorter daylight hours, glare, and poor visibility also make it harder for drivers to spot hazards, read road signs, or accurately judge the speed and distance of other vehicles. This is why it’s so essential for drivers to remain cautious on the roads this winter.
Impaired driving is the second contributing factor to fatal crashes, accounting for 25.7% of the deadly motor vehicle collisions that took place during the study’s five-year window. Driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs is incredibly dangerous, resulting in reduced coordination and slower reaction times. This makes it increasingly difficult for drivers to estimate the distances between vehicles and also results in reduced visibility.
Speeding is the third major cause of fatal car collisions in Canada. According to the study, 24.1% of fatal accidents were due to people speeding. Speeding significantly reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely, lengthening the travelled distance while reacting to a hazard and increasing the stopping distance.
During winter, speeding becomes especially dangerous because cold-weather conditions greatly reduce a driver’s ability to react and stop safely. Winter conditions like ice and snow increase braking distances and make vehicles harder to control, meaning even driving slightly above a safe speed can greatly increase the risk of collisions.
Environmental factors, like poor visibility, water or objects on the roadway, slick or icy roads, obstructed views, and glare, rank as the fourth factor leading to deadly car crashes in Canada. The data reveals that 21.7% of fatal collisions were caused by environmental factors. These hazards are especially common during winter, when snowfall, freezing rain, and shorter daylight hours dramatically hinder driving conditions.
The leading causes of car accidents in Canada
| Rank | Name of factor | The percentage of car accidents that happened due to the contributing factor |
| 1 | Other human factors | 65.9% |
| 2 | Impaired / Under the influence | 25.7% |
| 3 | Speed / Driving too fast | 24.1% |
| 4 | Environmental factor | 21.7% |
| 5 | Distraction | 20.7% |
| 6 | Vehicle factor | 3.7% |
| 7 | Fatigue | 3.2% |
Continuing from the table, distraction is the fifth major cause of vehicle accidents in Canada. A distraction is anything that takes the driver’s attention away from driving, such as texting, eating, or talking on the phone. According to the research, 20.7% of fatal collisions occurred due to distracted driving. It is noteworthy that factors involving human error account for five of the seven leading causes of car accidents in Canada.
Vehicle-related factors are in sixth place, accounting for 3.7% of the deadly accidents that occurred during the study’s five-year period. Regular car checks and maintenance are essential to reduce the risk of accidents, particularly during the winter.
Fatigued driving contributed to 3.2% of fatal car crashes in Canada, making it the seventh-most common factor causing deadly collisions. Fatigued drivers cannot make decisions and have slower thinking speeds and reaction times. It’s extremely important that when feeling tired, drivers pull over as soon as possible to reduce the chance of an accident.
