Speeding motorists wreaked havoc on OPP-patrolled roads in 2021, contributing to the loss of 81 lives and marking a 10-year high in speed-related road deaths.
OPP released its 2021 traffic data report today.
ROADS
A total of 315 people died on roads last year, up three per cent over 2020.
Alongside speeding, fatalities linked to inattentive drivers were up 29 per cent, while alcohol/drug-related deaths decreased by close to 50 per cent. Seatbelt-related deaths were also down last year over the previous year.
Fatal Motor vehicle Collisions 2021
Number of Fatal Collisions
Persons Killed (total)
Persons Killed - Alcohol/Drug-related 31
Persons Killed - Inattentive-related
Persons Killed - Speed-related
Persons Killed - No Seatbelt 48
Collisions were up eight per cent in 2021 over the previous year, with OPP officers responding to 60,544 road crashes.
Collisions involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) were also up, with 7,215 crashes marking a 17 per cent increase. The OPP also saw a 26 per cent increase in CMV collisions that resulted in fatalities in 2021, with 72 people losing their lives in these crashes.
Motorcycle fatalities were down 17 per cent, with 35 people losing their lives last year.
MARINE
The OPP responded to 23 fatal marine incidents last year which took 27 lives and marked a 16 per cent decrease in fatalities over 2020.
The majority (24) of the deceased were not wearing a life jacket. With capsized vessels and falling overboard cited as the primary causes in all but four of the fatalities, the data speaks to the critical role of a properly worn life jacket when boating or paddling. Almost half of the vessels involved in the incidents were non-motorized (e.g. canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board).
OFF-ROAD
Twenty-two people died in off-road vehicle incidents last year, down marginally from 2020. Alcohol/drugs were a factor in just over one third of the fatalities. Only half of those who died were wearing a helmet.
