Traffic Deaths in Canada: National Trends and Legal Significance

August 07, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Traffic fatalities in Canada are generally declining, reflecting broader national trends supported by Transport Canada statistics.

Trends in Traffic Fatalities: Data Overview

Decline in Fatalities Through 2020

According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, in 2020 motor vehicle deaths in Canada reached 1,745, a 1 % drop from 1,762 in 2019. That year also saw a significant fall in serious injuries (down 12 %) and total injuries (down 28 %)—the lowest figures since record‑keeping began in the early 1970s .

Rebound in Recent Years

By 2022, fatalities increased to 1,931, a 6 % rise from 2021, while serious injuries rose to 8,851 and total injuries reached 118,853, though these injury counts remained among the lowest in recent decades.

In 2023, fatalities edged up again to 1,964, the highest total in the past decade. Serious injuries reached 9,261, marking the highest five-year count, while total injuries declined slightly to about 118,838.

Risk Factors and Underlying Causes

Leading contributing factors include speeding and distracted driving, accounting for 25 % and 21 % of fatal collisions respectively in 2020. Though impaired driving due to alcohol decreased over the decade, drug-impaired driving, particularly cannabis, increased during that period.

Seatbelt non‑use remains a concern: in 2023, 32.6 % of drivers killed were not wearing seatbelts, up from 29.1 % in 2022. Passenger and motorcycle fatalities declined slightly, but the proportion of unbelted serious injuries increased across categories,

Regional Variation: Not All Areas Follow National Trends

Some provinces and municipalities bucked or amplified national patterns. For example, Ontario and many other provinces saw increases in 2023, while others—such as Quebec, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan—recorded notable reductions in traffic deaths.

Compared to Canada, the United States experiences significantly higher rates of traffic fatalities per capita. According to data from the OECD and the International Transport Forum, Americans are approximately twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle collision as Canadians. This difference is attributed to several factors, including higher average speeds, greater vehicle kilometres travelled, lower seatbelt usage rates in some U.S. states, and more limited public transportation infrastructure. In contrast, Canada's more consistent road safety regulations across provinces, widespread enforcement of seatbelt laws, and emphasis on public health–oriented transportation planning contribute to lower fatality rates. These comparisons highlight how policy and enforcement frameworks can significantly impact collision outcomes.

Why the Decline—and Recent Uptick?

The long-term downward trend reflects decades of improvements—vehicle safety technology, road design, stricter enforcement, and public awareness campaigns. Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2025 and adoption of Vision Zero principles aim for zero serious injuries or fatalities. Enforcement tools such as speed safety cameras and predictable penalties for impaired driving have also supported safer roads.

However, post-pandemic changes—including increased vehicle kilometres travelled—and risky road behaviour like speeding and distracted driving have contributed to recent upticks in fatalities.

Relevance for Personal Injury Law Practices

1. Infrastructure & Risk Management

Long-standing declines followed by a recent rise suggest that infrastructure design, enforcement, and policy directly impact collision incidence. Legal cases often turn on whether neglect or poor design contributed to crashes—even modest changes in risk levels may influence liability.

2. Legislative and Enforcement Context

Stronger enforcement related to impaired driving and seatbelt laws, along with public policy aimed at vulnerable road users, reflect evolving legal standards. These changes may affect expectations in cases involving driver negligence or municipalities' design obligations.

3. Changing Injury Patterns

The rebound in serious injuries (over 9,200 in 2023) underscores the persistent burden on individuals, with implications for claim volume and legal considerations around compensation.

Key Takeaways

• Traffic fatalities in Canada declined through 2020, reaching historic lows in fatalities, serious injuries, and total injuries 
• This trend reversed slightly in 2022 and 2023, with 1,964 deaths and 9,261 serious injuries in 2023—the highest totals in the last five to ten years
• Contributing factors include speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt non‑use, and changing travel patterns 
• These developments are relevant to personal injury practices because they reflect shifts in risk, legal standards, and enforcement context.

About Our Firm
At Deutschmann de Koning Law, we track developments in road safety policy and legal trends across Ontario. If you've been injured in a traffic collision, we're here to help you pursue fair compensation and understand your rights in a changing safety environment.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.