Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics in Nova Scotia
Motor vehicle collisions have continued to impact the lives of Nova Scotians over the past decade. These serious accidents are often caused by reckless, impaired, or distracted driving. Province-wide, car accidents are among the leading causes of preventable death for those under 45 years of age.
Motor vehicle collisions can have very real, very significant consequences. One irresponsible action behind the wheel can, in one instant, overturn the life of an unsuspecting road user. Reviewing motor vehicle accident statistics in Nova Scotia could help local drivers understand the dangerous realities faced by all road-users across the province, and hopefully reinforce the importance of road safety.
Collision and Fatality Statistics in Nova Scotia
According to the Road Safety Dashboard, on average, there were 5,435 motor vehicle collisions in Halifax alone each year over the past five years. As a result, the provincial capital ranks at the bottom of safe driving studies.
Transport Canada has reported over 5,000 injuries associated with motor vehicle traffic collisions in Nova Scotia over the course of 2020, with 62 fatalities.
Who Is at Risk?
Young people are at the highest risk of serious injury as the result of motor vehicle collisions across Nova Scotia. Between January and June of 2022, there were 573 collisions involving youth under the age of 25 in Halifax alone.
Many factors might be at play in this statistic. Young drivers have less experience behind the wheel than their more seasoned motorists. Young people could also be more likely to engage in reckless driving behaviours such as texting while driving or operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Collisions resulting in personal injuries are more likely to occur in urban settings. However, there is a higher likelihood of fatalities caused by collisions that take place on rural roads. Higher population density in cities and large towns mean a higher statistical probability of a collision, but urban centers also tend to have lower speed limits and more traffic-control measures in place. Stop lights, highly visible traffic signs, and other safety measures throughout larger cities could help reduce the risk of fatal car accidents.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions
Drunk driving or driving under the influence of other impairing substances has been responsible for almost one quarter of all fatal car accidents in Nova Scotia. In 2020, the RCMP of Nova Scotia issued 1,625 charges on impaired driving offenses.These included:
- 821 charges of impaired operation due to alcohol consumption
- 72 charges of impaired operation due to drug consumption
- 142 charges due to refusal to comply with law enforcement
- 590 driving suspensions for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Other common causes of car accidents in Nova Scotia include:
- Speeding (25.3%)
- Distraction, eg. texting while driving (22.3%)
- Fatigue (2.5%)
- And more
Transport Canada indicates that “Other Human Factors” are responsible for 41.5% of fatal collisions. The leading cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents, other human factors might include unsafe driving habits such as tailgating, improperly changing lanes, and failing to signal.
The Importance of Seat Belts
The importance of seat belt safety in Nova Scotia cannot be overstated. In 2020, 33.2% of drivers and 39.2% of passengers killed in car accidents were not wearing a seat belt.
Even when driving with the utmost caution, a road-user could fall victim to the wrongful actions of another road user. Because of a single instance of distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent driving, a person could sustain whiplash, broken bones, joint sprains and strains, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.
An Accident Victim’s Rights
The aftermath of a car crash can be disorienting. It can be challenging at first to know what to do after a motor vehicle accident. If you have been injured in a collision, it is important to receive medical attention immediately. Doing so could greatly benefit your own physical well-being as well as the viability of any legal claim you might choose to pursue in the future.
Section B benefits are designed to provide injured car accident victims with much-needed funds to cover their injury-related expenses. As an injured accident victim, you should be entitled to financial support to help cover the costs of medical bills, rehabilitative therapy, attendant care, lost wages due to missed work, and more.
However, not all claims for Section B benefits are approved by insurance companies. If your claim for benefits was denied, consider consulting with our Nova Scotia car accident lawyers.
By taking advantage of a free initial consultation with our car accident lawyers serving Nova Scotia, you could learn about options for financial recovery that might be available to you. In addition to recovering compensation through Section B benefits, you might be entitled to pursue a civil claim against the at-fault driver whose negligence caused your accident to occur. To learn more, call 1-800-JUSTICE.
Contact Our Nova Scotia Car Accident Lawyers Today
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we believe that every injured accident victim deserves to understand their legal rights. We offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation. There is no obligation to hire us, and no fee for our legal services unless we win your case. Contact us today and see how our Nova Scotia car accident lawyers might be able to help you.
