TIRF's new fatal crash fact sheets highlight opportunities when using a data-driven approach to combat distracted and drug-impaired driving
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 8, 2024) - The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) has released two new fact sheets, Distraction-Related Fatal Collisions, 2000-2021 and Drug Use in Fatal Collisions, 2000-2021, made possible by sponsorship from Desjardins Insurance. Key findings from TIRF's National Fatality Database underscore the critical need for continued efforts to address these priority road safety issues.
- Both drivers aged 16-19 and those 65 and older in fatal crashes had higher rates of distraction than all other age groups.
- Fatally injured drivers of commercial vehicles, particularly those operating heavy trucks and tractor-trailers, were more often distracted than fatally injured automobile drivers or motorcyclists.
- A larger percentage of fatally injured drivers aged 20-34 tested positive for drugs than those aged 16-19 and 65 and older.
- Drug-related fatal collisions were more common during nighttime hours and in vehicles with single occupants.