A recent study by Allstate Canada* ranks Ontario communities by the likelihood of drivers having a collision.
Although causing a stir in the local media here in North Bay, as always when reviewing statistics context is critical. All data was based on Allstate’s own claims records only, involving private passenger vehicles Allstate insured. The majority of vehicles in most communities are insured by other insurance companies, so the sampling is small.
In other words, Allstate’s experience may not be representative of larger picture.
But, the study is interesting: although the survey ranks frequency (number of incidents) rather than severity (how bad the accident), the results demonstrate why insurance premiums are territorially diverse:
- by region, northern Ontario had the best results (3.4 collisions/100 vehicles) and the GTA, the worst (5.4/100).
- by city, Belleville (pop. 49,000) had the best rating at 2.8/100; Brampton (pop. 434,000) had the worst at 6.1/100.
- much of the GTA was higher than 5.5/100, demonstrating why premiums are higher – and insurers demonstrate less appetite – for GTA-domiciled vehicles.
Another recent survey by the Canadian Automobile Association, found that the biggest safety concern for Canadian drivers is not drunk drivers or even the winter weather – more people now fear drivers texting than any other highway risk.
* Allstate’s Ontario Safe Driving Study (2010)
Photo from thestar.com
Tags: Automobile, claims, coverage, driving, Liability, ontario, risk, safety
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CSD
November 30, 2010 at 10:11 am
I wonder how much of the blame for accidents can be put down to the use (and abuse) of four-way stops and traffic lights by city planners.
I fear that the proliferation of this traffic-slowing methodologies in North Bay will only lead to greater driver frustration and therefore more accidents.
Viva la roundabout!
pl
December 1, 2010 at 9:56 am
I was surprized with the C.A.A. survey. Drunk driving and texting can be avoided…… fail to obey the law
should be more severe….
KH
December 1, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Toronto’ rates are higher, and they should be, due to being higher in accident frequency, however no matter what part of the province I am in, I see great potential for accidents due to texting.
jp
December 1, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I wonder if the results would be the same or similar if the survey was conducted ranking severity instead of frequency?
M.R.
December 1, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Not surprised with the Northern Ontario Statistics, we actually know how to drive in winter conditions.
SD
December 1, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Texting while driving is an on going problem.
That mixed with the winter driving will only be the cause for more accidents.
gc
December 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm
If driving habits improve, fewer collisions would result!
LR
December 1, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Texting while driving will always be a problem and more likely accidents will happen.
MB
December 1, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Many of these accidents are preventable with proper care and control of the vehicle. We might blame cell phones and weather, but at the end of the day we must all take responsibility for the way in which we operate our motor vehicle.
HC
December 1, 2010 at 2:36 pm
It would be interesting to compare to other companies as well.
sl
December 2, 2010 at 9:52 am
As we know the GTA area will always calculate as a higher risk area for driving due to the higher populated area.. Regarding winter driving, Northern Ontario drivers just seem to handle winter road conditions must better than our southern friends. Texting shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence connected with ‘driving’.