Collisions on northeastern Ontario highways
According to data from the OPP, collisions happen most often at times drivers may not expect
When, where and why collisions happen
The common perception is that crashes are most likely during snowstorms, fog or darkness. Ontario Provincial Police data from the past five years for the northeast region shows otherwise.
- Tune in to Morning North on CBC Radio One this week for special coverage of road safety in the north. Weekday mornings from 6 am. to 8:30 a.m.
The vast majority of crashes happen under clear skies and in the middle of the afternoon. The data also shows collisions happen almost anywhere on highways in the northeast.
Click on the the map points on the right to see the number of crashes where people have been killed or injured in different parts of the region over the past five years (by OPP detachment).
By the numbers
- Almost 75 per cent of collisions happen when skies are clear
- Tuesdays are the most common day for collisions (19 per cent)
- One of the most common times of day for collisions is 2 p.m.
- Animals are one of the leading causes of collisions on northern roads
According to OPP Inspector Mark Andrews, head of the OPP traffic division for the northeast region, the numbers often surprise drivers.
"The majority of our crashes happen when it's beautiful and sunny, it's clear. That's the data," he said. "You would think that's the last place or time we would have crashes."
Andrews says the data from the past five years speaks to the number one concern he has for safety on northern highways: distracted driving.