NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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COUNTY OF WELLINGTON - In effort to prepare drivers, Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to share some information gathered from the analytical data of reported collision between 2013 and 2017 in Wellington County.
This will let drivers see some of the trends around collisions and hopefully avoid problems. These figures do not account for the severity of the collisions, damage amounts, injuries or deaths.
By the Place: Approximately 25 per cent of collisions occur at intersections and over 50 per cent on throughways (straight portions of road unrelated to intersections). This eliminates the myth that collisions are exclusive to intersections when two vehicles collide.
With 38 per cent occurring on municipal roads, 35 per cent on county roads and 20 per cent on provincial highways we see that the variable in collision cause rarely revolves around the management of the roadway.
By the Cause: Wild and domestic animals, inattentive/distracted drivers and excessive speeds are the three leading causes of collisions with failing to yield right-of-way, following too closely and losing control receiving honourable mention. Most reportable-collisions in Wellington County are credited to one of these six causes.
By the Season: November has the most collisions with a steady decrease in the numbers through to May. June sees a small spike followed by a steady decline before the autumn rise. Both November and June are typically driving adjustment periods. The inclement weather in early winter and the over confidence in early summer, make the case that a cautious driver is a safe driver.
By the Day: Sundays receive the award for most collisions followed by Mondays and Fridays. Thursdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays see the fewest numbers respectively. Again we see a correlation between an increased number collisions and a transition period, going from a weekday mindset to a weekend mindset and vise-versa.
By the Time: Collisions most notably increase toward 5 p.m. with a second smaller increase occurring around and 8 a.m. These numbers align proportionally with traffic volumes and daylight, commuter traffic and dusk/dawn being the most obvious contributor. 3 a.m. and the early hours of the morning see very few crashes again showing the connection between traffic volumes and collisions.
By the Weather: Over 70 per cent of reported collisions occur on clear days with very few occurring during freezing rain, drifting snow and fog. While this may seem contrary to popular belief, remember that during extreme weather events drivers will typically drive slower and that crashes on those days will see less damage. These collisions are then more likely to clear under the $2,000 threshold that makes them non-reportable. Conversely, the high speeds driven on clear days and the overconfidence of good visibility and control will see clear-day collisions amount to greater damages.
By the Numbers: 2013 through to 2017 saw a 25 per cent reduction in reportable collisions, however some of that change is due to the fact that the Property Damage Only (PDO) collision reporting threshold inflated from $1,000 (established in 1998) to $2,000 in 2015.
OPP would like to remind drivers that time and space are your best defence when it comes to driving. Giving yourself space to adjust and time to compensate for foreseeable and unforeseeable issues and hazards that could ruin your day.
Any collision that causes vehicle damages totalling over $2,000, or damages other property beyond the vehicle(s) involved (regardless of the cost or perceived value) or causes personal injury must be reported to police immediately. Failing to do so is illegal under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. If unsure, it is always advisable to contact police.
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