Ottawa drivers almost as bad as Toronto drivers
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Are Ottawa drivers as bad as Toronto drivers?
Appears so, according to Allstate Insurance Company of Canada report on collisions.
Despite a much smaller population, fewer roads and fewer cars, we are only .2% less likely to get into a collision compared to Torontonians.
The report states Ottawa’s collision frequency between 2010-12 is 6.10% compared to Toronto which sits at 6.12%.
“It’s the rate compared to the population,” explained Saskia Matheson, Director of Auto and Property at Allstate Insurance.
To put things into perspective, there are roughly 5.5 million people living in the Greater Toronto Area compared to a population of 1.6 million in Ottawa.
Matheson said the high number of collisions in the National Capital Region can be attributed to harsher weather conditions.
“You’re going to get a lot of days where the roads are snow covered,” Matheson added.
“I’m actually surprised,” said Ottawa resident Cody Moffat “I’ve been to Toronto a few times and it’s a little more hectic out there so I don’t agree.”
“I don’t think Ottawa drivers are any better or any worse than any other drivers in Canada. They’re generally okay to me,” Ted Langtry added. “People are polite, they sometimes get distracted, especially if they’re talking on their cell phone, but that happens everywhere, not just in Ottawa.”
Still, Ottawa is not among the most dangerous places to drive in the province — Brampton holds that title, with a collision frequency rate of 6.45%, followed by Milton at 6.32% and Maple at 6.14%.
The safest community? That title goes to Brockville, with a collision rate of 3.06%.
Overall, Ontario roads have become a little bit safer in the past two years with a 3.3% reduction in collisions.
Twitter: @JessicaBeddaoui
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