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Fridays are most dangerous on local roads, collision stats show

Motor vehicle collisions in the City of Greater Sudbury have been on the decline for three years running, with 1,746 recorded in 2021, 1,856 recorded in 2020 and 2,162 recorded in 2019
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There are more motor vehicle collisions in Greater Sudbury on Fridays than any other single day of the week, while weekends are generally the safest on local roads.

February is the most dangerous month of the year on city roads, and collisions peak during the morning and afternoon rush hours, with the afternoons typically worse.

These and various other statistics fill out the city’s latest road safety assessment for 2021, which was released during last week’s operations committee meeting of city council.

The statistics are provided by Greater Sudbury Police Service and exclude collisions in parking lots and off-road trails.

There have been progressively fewer motor vehicle collisions in Greater Sudbury for three years running, from the 2,162 recorded in 2019, 1,856 recorded in 2020 and last year’s 1,746. The lower numbers are possibly related to the COVID-19 pandemic keeping people closer to home.

Of last year’s incidents, 215 involved injuries and six were fatal, which is less than the five-year average but slightly greater than 2020, when 199 incidents included injuries and four involved fatalities. The five-year average for total injury/fatality incidents is 256.8. 

More collisions occur during the winter months than any other time of year, peaking at a total of 1,247 in Februarys from 2017-2021.

Fresh out of winter driving conditions, April marks the safest month for city roads, during which 443 collisions were recorded in the month during the five-year period.

Weekends are the safest on city roads, with Sunday the clearest from collisions at 881 incidents recorded on Sundays from 2017-2021. Fridays are the most dangerous, with 1,741 incidents recorded on Fridays during the five-year period.

As for time of day, collisions spike at approximately 8 a.m., dip briefly and hit a daily high at around 4 p.m., tapering off between then and midnight.

Approximately 62 per cent of collisions occur on arterial roads, according to the report, “which are typically higher volume, higher speed roads than collector or local roads.”

A partial explanation for the reduction in motor vehicle incidents in recent years might have to do with fewer vehicles being out due to the COVID-19 pandemic keeping people home, Greater Sudbury Police Service Sgt. Blair Ramsay told Sudbury.com via emailed correspondence.

The use of collision statistics to target high-collision areas is also believed to have had an impact.

“With increased enforcement in said areas, this may be why we are seeing less motor vehicle collisions in the community as a whole,” the Traffic Management Unit sergeant said. 

“We value our partnership with the city in hosting educational campaigns and safe driving awareness initiatives as well.”

In addition to their work with the police, the city has also take a number of steps “to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists through the construction of new infrastructure,” according to the city’s latest report, which cites 4.3 kms of new sidewalk since 2019 and 10.6 kms of cycling infrastructure.

The city has also pulled aside the top 20 locations with a high potential for safety improvements for targeted actions. Lasalle Boulevard at Auger Avenue, for example, is recommended to receive a left turn arrow for westbound vehicles.

Approximately 72 per cent of fatal/injury collisions occur in areas where the posted speed limit is 50 km/h, which Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann cited as reason enough to justify expanding a pilot program the city is launching this year. 

The tentative plan is to have one neighbourhood have its speed limit reduced to 40 km/h, with more coming on board next year for a broader pilot program, pending city council support of a 2023 business case.

“Lowered speed limits save lives,” Landry-Altmann said during last week’s meeting, later telling Sudbury.com she looks forward to seeing how the pilot program rolls out. Her preference would be consistency across the board, with all 50 km/h areas reduced to 40 km/h. 

Although a disproportionate number of city roads with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h skews the statistics, city traffic and asset management supervisor Joe Rocca told the committee there is a compelling argument to be made for lowering speed limits to 40 km/h. 

“When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the chance of survival greatly increases as speeds are lower on the road,” he said, adding this certainly applies to lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h.

Road safety appears to have been a priority for city council in recent months, with a number of steps being taken to lower the already falling motor vehicle incident statistics further. 

In addition to the 40 km/h pilot program, automated speed traps could be introduced as early as next year, six red light cameras are currently being tested and will begin issuing tickets soon and traffic-calming bollards are being installed along 10 streets this year.

The city is also mapping out a new design for city streets throughout the municipality to better incorporate active transportation via the Complete Streets program, which the city is seeking feedback on at overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca

Alongside broader efforts, Ramsay said there’s an important role for individual motorists, who need to recognize road safety as a shared commitment.

“Please make the responsible decision to wear your seatbelt, obey the posted speed limit, drive sober and drive distraction-free.”

Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com. 


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Tyler Clarke

About the Author: Tyler Clarke

Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
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