People at risk

Although the number of fatalities showed major decreases from 1992 to 2001 in most provinces, people are still at risk. From 1992 to 2001, fatalities at the national level decreased 21 percent. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories showed percentage decreases in fatalities greater than the national average, while other jurisdictions did not show as much improvement, and fatalities in Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Alberta increased over the period.

Of the ten age groups other than ‘Unknown age’, fatalities over the 10-year period decreased more than the national average of 21 percent in five of the age groups, while four age groups showed smaller decreases. Fatalities in the 00-04, 05-09 and 10-14 age groups resulting from motor vehicle traffic collisions decreased 50 percent, 45 percent and 31 percent, respectively, from 1992 to 2001. This could reflect efforts by road safety professionals to reduce these fatalities through education and publication of information about child restraint systems and the use of clinics to promote the proper use of child restraints. Other age groups showing large decreases in the number of fatalities over the period were the 20-24 and 25-34 age groups at 25 percent and 44 percent, respectively. All other age groups, except the 45-54 age group, showed decreases, but not as impressive. The 10 percent increase in fatalities in the 45-54 age group reflects an increase in the population as the baby-boomers entered and continue to enter this age group.

Overall, injuries declined 11.5 percent with Manitoba, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Saskatchewan showing improvements greater than the national percentage change. Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec showed smaller improvements, while Alberta, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador showed increases in the number of persons injured.

As mentioned above, overall, injuries decreased 11.5 percent since 1992. All age groups up to and including the 25-34 years showed decreases of 18 percent or more, while older age groups showed either small declines or increases in the number of persons injured. The number of injuries in the 45-54 age group increased 22 percent.

Despite the proven success of graduated licensing programs in many jurisdictions, young Canadians in the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups were consistently over-represented in both fatalities and injuries. These teens and young adults accounted for about 14 percent of Canada’s population, yet they accounted for about 26 percent of traffic deaths and injuries. Fatalities in two other age groups, the 65+ age group and the 25-34 age group, were also over-represented compared to their respective population. The 65+ age group accounted for 17.5 percent of fatalities but represented only 12.6 percent of the population, while fatalities in the 25-34 age group were only slightly over-represented. Injuries in the 25-34 age group and the 35-44 age group were also over-represented when compared to their respective population.

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Much of this carnage is preventable. The same high-risk behaviours continued to plague Canadian roads in 2001 - impaired driving, non-use of seat belts and excessive speed.