No. H 017/07
For release February 1, 2007

2005 Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics

OTTAWA — Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics: 2005 is now available. The publication, released annually by Transport Canada, provides statistics on motor vehicle collisions and casualties for 2005, as well as historical information dating back to 1986.

The figures reveal that the number of drivers in Canada continues to increase yearly. There are over 21.9 million licenced drivers and over 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads - more than ever before. From 2004 to 2005, there was an increase of about seven per cent in the number of fatalities on Canadian roads.

"The safety and security of the travelling public is our top priority, and reducing fatalities and injuries on our roadways remains an ongoing challenge," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Transport Canada will continue to work with the provinces, territories, and other road safety agencies on Road Safety Vision 2010, an initiative that aims to make Canada's roads the safest in the world."

Although road fatalities still represent over 90 per cent of all transportation-related fatalities, Canada's road safety record has steadily improved. Since 1982, road traffic deaths have declined by almost 30 per cent. The statistics, collected by Transport Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, show that in 2005, there were 2,578 fatal collisions leading to 2,923 deaths. Motor vehicle occupants accounted for 76.6 per cent of all road user fatalities, with 1,557 drivers and 683 passengers killed. In addition, 344 pedestrians, 234 motorcyclists and 52 bicyclists were killed on the road.

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 calls for a 30 per cent decrease in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Canada's roads by 2010. Provincial, territorial and federal governments, as well as public and private sector stakeholders, actively support the plan.

Transport Canada obtains motor vehicle traffic collision statistics annually from all provinces and territories. The collisions involving casualties represent all those reported to or by the police that occurred on public roads. The department uses these statistics to further understand road safety issues and trends with the goal of improving road safety for all Canadians.

Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics: 2005 is available on Transport Canada's website at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp3322/2005/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, visit www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/vision/menu.htm

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