Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has released its annual
Safe Driving Study, which evaluates auto risks prevalent across the country, in terms of time and location.
The study found that 2014’s highest incidences of collisions all occurred in three days leading up to the Christmas holiday – December 21, 22 and 23. Somewhat paradoxically, however, December 25 and January 1 had the lowest rates of collision claims.
The provinces of Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario experienced 3,150 collision claims on December 21, as well as 3,108 on December 23 and 3,082 on December 22.
“With more drivers out on the roads rushing to parties, socializing, their minds racing with gift ideas and checklists of things to do over the holidays, they may not be paying as much attention to the road as they should be,” Ryan Michel, senior vice president and chief risk officer for Allstate Canada, said in a statement.
The city also assessed 50 cities for safe driving habits, and found that Medicine Hat, Alberta had the lowest collision rate at 3.74%, whereas Ottawa, Ontario had the highest at 6.73%.
In addition, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Aurora, Ontario and Saint John, New Brunswick experienced the greatest reduction in claims, while Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Brantford, Ontario experienced the greatest increases.
Overall, the top 10 cities with the lowest collision claims frequency per 100 cars between 2012 and 2014 are:
- Medicine Hat, AB - 3.74%
- Sarnia, ON - 4.00%
- Spruce Grove, AB - 4.02%
- Peterborough, ON - 4.07%
- St. Catharines, ON - 4.37%
- Lethbridge, AB - 4.49%
- Kitchener, ON - 4.57%
- Niagara Falls, ON - 4.59%
- Sault Ste. Marie, ON - 4.75%
- Bowmanville, ON - 4.84%
Experts attribute the prevalence of Nova Scotia collisions to its harsh 2014 winter, which made for treacherous driving conditions. The full table of safe driving results can be viewed
here.
