The holiday season means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but one thing always stays the same during this time of the year: a spike in car accidents as the snow and ice piles up.
Parts of B.C. are far more prone to crashes than others, though. Data from Samsara shows that there are spots in the province that see a greater number of accidents when December rolls around.
Winter’s Crash Rate
Unsurprisingly, Canada carries a seasonal pattern of having far higher accident rates during winter. According to Samsara, the snowy season accounts for “more than a third (37%) of all crashes in the dataset.”
The crash rates gradually build through late November and early December. In Week 48, the rates are about 0.0005 crashes per 1KM, but then grow to 0.012 by Week 51, leading to a 140% increase. But with all the black ice, freezing conditions, and piling snow, it’s not hard to figure out why this all happens.
Samsara also noted the times that crashes often occurred throughout the day in winter. The evening (4:00pm – 8:00pm) had 24% of the accidents, with its primary risk factors as congestion and rapid refreeze. Afternoon and night had slightly lower (but still significant) percentages at 23% and 19%, respectively. Falling temperatures, surface glare, darkness, and reduced tractions were all part of the risk factors.
The Most Dangerous Roads In Canada During The Holidays
While there isn’t a super even spread of crash risks across Canada, there are a few trends that concentrate it in certain hot spots. Places where weather, terrain, traffic, and wildlife meet often have more crashes. This includes mountain passes with steep grades, as well as major freight interchanges, among others.
Samsara has listed 20 of the top most dangerous roads in Canada. You can find the full list here with all the details.
- Erieau Road, ON
- Yellowhead Hwy (16), BC/AB/SK
- Highway 2, AB
- Highway of Heroes, NB
- Timberland Road, BC
- Trans-Canada Hwy (1), BC/AB/SK/MB/ON
- Autoroute Jean-Lesage (A-20), QC
- Steeles Avenue East, ON
- Highway 43, AB
- Highway 17, ON
- Highway 11, ON
- QEW, ON
- Industrial Park Dr (132), QC
- Highway 401, ON
- Dixie Road, ON
- Highway 401 Express, ON
- Coleraine Drive, ON
- Highway 401 Collectors, ON
- Rue J-A-Bombardier, QC
- Route Marie-Victorin (132), QC
