Sometimes, truth really is stranger than fiction, especially if what's driving that truth is the fact Hanmer has been named the community with the lowest collision frequency rate in all of Canada, according to the Allstate Canada Safe Driving Study.
That's strange, because let's face it, everyone likes to complain about the drivers in Greater Sudbury. However, three communities in Greater City cracked the top 10 spots on the Safe Driving Study.
Hanmer came in at No. 1 with a collision claims frequency rate of 3.65 per cent, a jump of 10 spots on the list since 2015.
Chelmsford was ranked No. 3, with a collision claims frequency rate of 3.65 per cent, on par with its 2015 ranking.
It seems Garson put the brakes on its unsafe driving habits, recording the most significant decrease in its collision rate at 4.14 per cent and ranking No. 8 on the list. In 2015, Garson claimed the 76th spot at 6.58 per cent, meaning a decrease of 37 per cent in the collision claim frequency since 2015.
But despite improvements in certain regions, the study reveals that collisions are still on the rise across Canada, with an overall increase of 2.5 per cent in frequency since 2015, according to a news release.
The 2017 study also found that the most severe collisions during the last period can be attributed to incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, while the second-most severe type of collision was head-on collisions.
The ninth annual Safe Driving Study examines the collision data of Allstate Canada customers in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
“While it’s encouraging to see that a number of regions across Canada are showing a decrease in collision frequency, we find it troubling that our 2017 Safe Driving Study is showing an overall increase in collisions, especially as the most severe collisions are involving cyclists and pedestrians,” said David MacInnis, vice-president, Product Operations at Allstate Insurance Company of Canada.
“These results show there is still a lot of work to be done to help reduce collisions, especially as we head into what is typically the most dangerous driving season of the year.”
Also of note in the study, over the past five years, the day of the year with the highest number of collisions in Ontario is Feb. 12.
Tips to help stay safe on the road:
Many common collisions can be avoided by paying closer attention and taking steps to be a safe driver. Here are some tips to help share the road more safely:
- Keep it in park until you’re ready: Adjust your seat to the right position, fix your mirrors, and make sure your passengers are settled and buckled up before putting your car in drive.
- Know what counts as distracted driving: It’s not only about putting your phone away while behind the wheel. Other distractions that should be avoided include eating and drinking, grooming, putting on makeup, reading maps, changing the music, and more. These should be avoided even while in stop-and-go traffic, at a red light, or on a highway.
- Be aware of others on the road: Remember to always safely share the road with cyclists and keep a close eye out for pedestrians. Exercise additional caution when in high-traffic areas and at intersections.
- The volume doesn’t need to be maxed out: When you have music blasting in the car or your passengers are using entertainment devices, it can be hard to focus on the road. Encourage passengers to maintain a volume on their devices that allows you to hear what’s happening outside the car windows, or encourage the use of headphones.
- Speaking of headphones: While they can be a great idea for your passengers, headphones should not be worn while driving behind the wheel. Doing so will prevent you from hearing noises outside the car or become a distraction when behind the wheel.
- Invest in winter tires: Safer winter driving includes putting on your snow tires. In some regions they are mandatory between certain calendar dates. Winter tires can grip the road better in cold and snowy weather which will help keep you in control of your car.
- Don’t drive while impaired: If you are going out and will be under the influence, it is important to have an alternate route home. Take a cab, use public transit or stay at a friend’s house. Don’t let anyone you are with get behind the wheel when they are impaired either.
