N^o H270/05
For release December 30, 2005

THE RESULTS ARE IN – ROAD
COLLISIONS DOWN AGAIN IN 2004

OTTAWA — The latest edition of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics, an annual publication released by Transport Canada, is now available. It provides statistics on motor vehicle collisions and casualties for 2004, as well as historical information dating back to 1984.

Fatalities continued to decrease in 2004, even though there were more drivers and vehicles on the road than ever before. Injuries also decreased by four-and-a-half per cent over 2003.

While 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. Transport Canada and its partners have made progress in this area over the years and the department continues to work with provinces, territories and other safety agencies on Road Safety Vision 2010.

Road Safety Vision 2010 aims to raise awareness of road safety issues, to improve collaboration and cooperation among safety agencies and to toughen enforcement. This national plan, originally established in 1996 and renewed in 2001, calls for a 30 per cent decrease by 2010 in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Canada's roads compared to the 1996 - 2001 period. It is coordinated through the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.

The statistics are collected annually by all provinces and territories and are sent to Transport Canada for inclusion in the National Collision Database. The department uses these statistics to further improve road safety through public awareness and outreach programs with the goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world.

Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics: 2004 is available on Transport Canada's Road Safety website at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp3322/2004/menu.htm. To order a free copy or for more information on the department's road safety programs, please call 1-800-333-0371.

For more information on Road Safety Vision 2010, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/vision/.

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