With Ottawa’s weather constantly fluctuating and the new daylight hours in effect, city officials are urging commuters to be careful on the roads. On March 7, Ottawa Police responded to 36 vehicle collisions over four hours following a thaw-freeze weather event.
Heidi Cousineau, the Manager of Traffic and Mobility at the City of Ottawa, says many factors contribute to the cause of collisions, “including the road user, vehicle, roadway characteristics and environmental conditions.”
Data shows that months with unpredictable conditions see the highest collision rates. The top 20 dates for total accidents between 2017 and 2022, a period that includes lower-traffic pandemic years, all saw a high proportion of slushy, icy or snowy roads.
January and February saw the largest number of collisions over that five-year period and those months also see some of the worst road conditions.
With winter seeing so many traffic incidents,Ontario put together an online guide with tips for avoiding catastrophes while driving in icy weather.
Cousineau says accidents in poorer weather also result in different levels of damage.
“In the past, we found that while there may be more collisions during poor weather conditions, these generally resulted only in property damage as a result of slower speeds,” says Cousineau.
“Conversely, fatal and major injury collisions are more frequent with clear, dry roads as drivers are more likely to take risks in good weather.”
Time of day is also a major factor. The largest number of collisions happened between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., which coincides with peak rush hour.
Whether collisions are attributed to weather, time of day or other factors, Cousineau says the power is in citizens’ hands to act cautiously on the road and to make the most of the City’s Road Safety Action Plan.
“Citizens may increase their own safety by practicing risk reduction behaviours,” says Cousineau. “In educating residents – whether they drive, cycle and/or walk – the Plan aims to de-normalize unsafe road behaviour and foster a culture of road safety in Ottawa.”
The 2025 Implementation Plan has focused its efforts on installing more speed cameras, especially in school zones, more pedestrian crossovers, intersection enhancements to protect cyclists, and educational initiatives that raise awareness among vulnerable commuters, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The city says that at the end of the day, these statistics are much more than just numbers on a screen.
“It’s a life that touches so many other lives and no dollar value can ever be placed on it,” reads the Ottawa City website. “Very often, collisions may make a headline for one day, but its scars on peoples’ lives last forever.”
