OPP 2020 crash stats TL: DR most fatal bike crashes are single-vehicle

[GreyGhost]

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37 out of 42 fatal bike crashes had no other vehicles involved. Ride safe folks.

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

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Overall, collisions fell 26 per cent from 2019 but the fatality rate was up 22 per cent.

Among deaths, 62 were linked to speed, 51 to alcohol or drug use, and 45 to driver inattention.

Police say lack of seatbelt use contributed to 55 deaths.

Forty-two motorcyclists were killed, marking a sharp increase over the 27 deaths in 2019.

In 37 of those incidents, police said no other vehicles were involved, underscoring the fact that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users who cannot afford to take any unnecessary risks.

Marine fatalities reached a 12-year high and were almost double over 2019, with 32 people killed in boating incidents.

 

[caje]

37 out of 42 seems really, really high. Does the OPP release any additional information about these accidents? There must be some sort of report?

Edit: Just as an example, here is an article from Quebec where we had 5 fatal accidents in one day this past summer: https://www.web24.news/u/2020/08/five-fatal-motorcycle-accidents-in-24-hours-in-quebec.html/

You'll notice that all five of those accidents involved another vehicle. I find it really hard to believe that it could be 37/42 being single vehicle accidents in Ontario when on one day 5 out of 5 fatal accidents involved other vehicles in Quebec.

 

[Priller]

My guess is the 2020 numbers are heavily skewed due to the uniqueness of the year. The car numbers are odd, too, with a big drop in collisions but a big jump in fatalities. This suggests there may have been some folks taking advantage of quiet roads to speed aggressively, with predictable results.

Still, it's not like the OPP is above skewing stats to make the point they want. If someone crashes at 120 on the 401, technically they're speeding, despite the reality being much more complex. I'd love to see stats on crashes caused by people going too slow (merging, for example), but there's no political capital in generating outrage over those stats, so they don't get collected.

Whatever the agenda, that huge jump in motorcycle fatalities is a sobering number.

 

[GreyGhost]

My guess is the 2020 numbers are heavily skewed due to the uniqueness of the year. The car numbers are odd, too, with a big drop in collisions but a big jump in fatalities. This suggests there may have been some folks taking advantage of quiet roads to speed aggressively, with predictable results.

Still, it's not like the OPP is above skewing stats to make the point they want. If someone crashes at 120 on the 401, technically they're speeding, despite the reality being much more complex. I'd love to see stats on crashes caused by people going too slow (merging, for example), but there's no political capital in generating outrage over those stats, so they don't get collected.

Whatever the agenda, that huge jump in motorcycle fatalities is a sobering number.

To that point "no other vehicles involved" can also be gamed. If a bike crashes while attempting to avoid a left-turning vehicle but does not contact it, or a similar crash where the bike chooses the ditch instead of a head-on with a vehicle over the line does that count as "no other vehicle involved". It could be lack of information as the offending vehicle continued on, selective reporting or bikers making a lot of bad decisions last year.

 

[caje]

Yeah I think there's something off with those numbers.

Here's the 2017 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2017.pdf.

Page 80, Table 6.2: Single Vehicle Collisions were 24.6%.

This article mentions that out of 48 motorcyclist fatalities in 2017, 22 of them were not the fault of the motorcyclist: OPP Release Startling Numbers About Motorcycle Deaths

I just don't think it could realistically jump to 88%, even despite Covid.

 

[Klaatu]

My guess is the 2020 numbers are heavily skewed due to the uniqueness of the year. The car numbers are odd, too, with a big drop in collisions

I know this to be true. My friend owns a very busy body shop here in Durham Region. It was so quiet, he was worried that he might have to close down, the place has been here for over 30 years. I think he got through this because of government loans and grants.

 

[Deleted member 50930]

Yeah I think there's something off with those numbers.

Here's the 2017 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2017.pdf.

Page 80, Table 6.2: Single Vehicle Collisions were 24.6%.

This article mentions that out of 48 motorcyclist fatalities in 2017, 22 of them were not the fault of the motorcyclist: OPP Release Startling Numbers About Motorcycle Deaths

I just don't think it could realistically jump to 88%, even despite Covid.

They probably tried motorcycles because they were so bored with locksdown, lost their job, work from home, or just got time to go out way more often (mee)

 

[Aens]

The drop in traffic means more room/opportunities to ride beyond your limits. No surprise really.

 

[caje]

Here are 10 articles from 2020 announcing motorcycle fatalities that mention a collision with another vehicle. This took me about 10 minutes to find. I could easily find more, but 10 is already more than the 5 the OPP are stating.

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Charges laid in fatal motorcycle crash north of Guelph: OPP | Globalnews.ca

A 65-year-old man was killed in the crash, which involved two motorcycles and a pickup truck, on May 1.

globalnews.ca

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

28-year-old motorcyclist dead after crash with bus in Mississauga

A man is dead following a collision in Mississauga between a motorcycle and a transit bus. Peel police said the crash occurred in the area of Mavis Road and Novo Star Drive just after 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Police said it appears a Mississauga Transit bus was turning left on to Crawford Mill Avenue...

toronto.citynews.ca

Sudbury-area motorcyclist dies in crash north of Toronto

A Greater Sudbury-area man died Monday when the motorcycle he was driving collided with an SUV driver north of Toronto.

www.thesudburystar.com

Motorcyclist dies after fiery crash in Scarborough

A motorcyclist is dead after a fiery crash on Warden Avenue near Highway 401. The driver remained on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

www.680news.com

Motorcyclist killed in crash southeast of Kemptville

Grenville OPP continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

ottawacitizen.com

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-motorcycle-deaths-1.5554354

Kitchener man, 24, dies in motorcycle crash

KITCHENER — A 24-year-old Kitchener man is dead following a crash in Kitchener on Wednesday. Police were called to Fairway Road South near Manitou Drive at 6 p.m., for a collision. Two...

www.waterloochronicle.ca

Goderich man dies in motorcycle crash in Waterloo Region

A Goderich man is dead following a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle in Wilmot. Waterloo Regional Polic...

shorelinetoday.ca

Something is not adding up.

 

[GreyGhost]

Here are 10 articles from 2020 announcing motorcycle fatalities that mention a collision with another vehicle. This took me about 10 minutes to find. I could easily find more, but 10 is already more than the 5 the OPP are stating.

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Charges laid in fatal motorcycle crash north of Guelph: OPP | Globalnews.ca

A 65-year-old man was killed in the crash, which involved two motorcycles and a pickup truck, on May 1.

globalnews.ca

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

28-year-old motorcyclist dead after crash with bus in Mississauga

A man is dead following a collision in Mississauga between a motorcycle and a transit bus. Peel police said the crash occurred in the area of Mavis Road and Novo Star Drive just after 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Police said it appears a Mississauga Transit bus was turning left on to Crawford Mill Avenue...

toronto.citynews.ca

Sudbury-area motorcyclist dies in crash north of Toronto

A Greater Sudbury-area man died Monday when the motorcycle he was driving collided with an SUV driver north of Toronto.

www.thesudburystar.com

Motorcyclist dies after fiery crash in Scarborough

A motorcyclist is dead after a fiery crash on Warden Avenue near Highway 401. The driver remained on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

www.680news.com

Motorcyclist killed in crash southeast of Kemptville

Grenville OPP continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

ottawacitizen.com

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-motorcycle-deaths-1.5554354

Kitchener man, 24, dies in motorcycle crash

KITCHENER — A 24-year-old Kitchener man is dead following a crash in Kitchener on Wednesday. Police were called to Fairway Road South near Manitou Drive at 6 p.m., for a collision. Two...

www.waterloochronicle.ca

Goderich man dies in motorcycle crash in Waterloo Region

A Goderich man is dead following a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle in Wilmot. Waterloo Regional Polic...

shorelinetoday.ca

Something is not adding up.

OPP controlled roads most likely. More likely to be rural. Many of your examples are under the jurisdiction of local police.

 

[Deleted member 50930]

OPP controlled roads most likely. More likely to be rural. Many of your examples are under the jurisdiction of local police.

So last year was very bloody ?

 

[Baggsy]

I wonder how many unreported F2NC's there were.
How many picked it out of the ditch/bush & legged it on a potentially deadly vehicle.
How many hid it in the bush and returned later with a pickup for the pieces.

Note: F2NC - Fail to negotiate curve

 

[caje]

OPP controlled roads most likely. More likely to be rural. Many of your examples are under the jurisdiction of local police.

I hadn't thought about that, but it still doesn't add up. Here are 9 fatal accidents that the OPP responded to and that involved another vehicle in 2020:

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Motorcyclist killed in crash southeast of Kemptville

Grenville OPP continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

ottawacitizen.com

OPP investigating fatal motorcycle crash near Brussels, Ont.

Huron OPP say the driver of a motorcycle died in a crash near Brussels Saturday.

london.ctvnews.ca

MyNewsToday - Select a Region

blackburnnews.com

Name released in Friday's fatal motorcycle crash

Collision remains under investigation

www.guelphtoday.com

County Road 507 remains closed after a fatal motorcycle crash this morning

KAWARTHA LAKES-Members of the Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews are still on scene at a collision which occurred at approximately 11:00am on County Road 507 at Mississauga Dam Road. Police say a motorcycle was travelling northbound on County Road 507 when a collision occurred with a so

www.kawartha411.ca

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Fatal collision involving motorcycle near Innerkip (update)

OPP confirm the crash happened around 4 p.m. Thursday

www.kitchenertoday.com

Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash in Brant County

Provincial police say they're investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle in Brant County.

www.iheartradio.ca

Not trying to be difficult but it really seems to me like the OPP is trying to paint motorcyclists as irresponsible and riding recklessly when it's not necessarily the case. I would really like to hear an explanation from the OPP.

I've emailed CP24 with this info, maybe they'll ask the OPP what their methodology/data is.

 

[GreyGhost]

I hadn't thought about that, but it still doesn't add up. Here are 9 fatal accidents that the OPP responded to and that involved another vehicle in 2020:

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Motorcyclist killed in crash southeast of Kemptville

Grenville OPP continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

ottawacitizen.com

OPP investigating fatal motorcycle crash near Brussels, Ont.

Huron OPP say the driver of a motorcycle died in a crash near Brussels Saturday.

london.ctvnews.ca

MyNewsToday - Select a Region

blackburnnews.com

Name released in Friday's fatal motorcycle crash

Collision remains under investigation

www.guelphtoday.com

County Road 507 remains closed after a fatal motorcycle crash this morning

KAWARTHA LAKES-Members of the Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews are still on scene at a collision which occurred at approximately 11:00am on County Road 507 at Mississauga Dam Road. Police say a motorcycle was travelling northbound on County Road 507 when a collision occurred with a so

www.kawartha411.ca

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Fatal collision involving motorcycle near Innerkip (update)

OPP confirm the crash happened around 4 p.m. Thursday

www.kitchenertoday.com

Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash in Brant County

Provincial police say they're investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle in Brant County.

www.iheartradio.ca

Not trying to be difficult but it really seems to me like the OPP is trying to paint motorcyclists as irresponsible and riding recklessly when it's not necessarily the case. I would really like to hear an explanation from the OPP.

I've emailed CP24 with this info, maybe they'll ask the OPP what their methodology/data is.

Stats are very often used in a game to promote an agenda. Historically if car A was going 10 km/h over the speed limit through a green light and got in a crash with Car B running a red light, they would include speed as a contributing factor even though it was basically immaterial as it reinforced the desired agenda. Let us know if you get any new information.

 

[Brian P]

Not trying to be difficult but it really seems to me like the OPP is trying to paint motorcyclists as irresponsible and riding recklessly when it's not necessarily the case. I would really like to hear an explanation from the OPP.

I've emailed CP24 with this info, maybe they'll ask the OPP what their methodology/data is.

Thanks for doing that. I understand the general trend (fewer total number of crashes but greater number of fatalities) and why that could be the case (lockdown = less traffic, less traffic = higher speed), but claiming that there were "only" 5 fatal motorcycle crashes on OPP-patrolled roads that didn't involve other vehicles, did not make any sense.

 

[SVeezy]

I hadn't thought about that, but it still doesn't add up. Here are 9 fatal accidents that the OPP responded to and that involved another vehicle in 2020:

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Motorcyclist killed in crash southeast of Kemptville

Grenville OPP continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

ottawacitizen.com

OPP investigating fatal motorcycle crash near Brussels, Ont.

Huron OPP say the driver of a motorcycle died in a crash near Brussels Saturday.

london.ctvnews.ca

MyNewsToday - Select a Region

blackburnnews.com

Name released in Friday's fatal motorcycle crash

Collision remains under investigation

www.guelphtoday.com

County Road 507 remains closed after a fatal motorcycle crash this morning

KAWARTHA LAKES-Members of the Peterborough County OPP and emergency crews are still on scene at a collision which occurred at approximately 11:00am on County Road 507 at Mississauga Dam Road. Police say a motorcycle was travelling northbound on County Road 507 when a collision occurred with a so

www.kawartha411.ca

Toronto, Canada & Global Breaking News – CP24

Most recent News News business news stories and video from CP24

www.cp24.com

Fatal collision involving motorcycle near Innerkip (update)

OPP confirm the crash happened around 4 p.m. Thursday

www.kitchenertoday.com

Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash in Brant County

Provincial police say they're investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle in Brant County.

www.iheartradio.ca

Not trying to be difficult but it really seems to me like the OPP is trying to paint motorcyclists as irresponsible and riding recklessly when it's not necessarily the case. I would really like to hear an explanation from the OPP.

I've emailed CP24 with this info, maybe they'll ask the OPP what their methodology/data is.

I’m hopeful there will be more insight but not holding my breath.


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app

 

[PrivatePilot]

The car numbers are odd, too, with a big drop in collisions but a big jump in fatalities.

As someone who was out still running the roads for work during the peak days of the initial lockdown I can totally understand why - the few cars that WERE still out there were all driving like total goons. I swear, every BMW/Mercedes and rice-rocket were out on the 400 series doing 150+ and treating the road like their own personal Autobahn. It's zero surprise at all that some of these same people wrecked and paid the price.

 

[Roadghost]

I blame sport bike riders for the single vehicle accidents. Nothing worse than 20 something years old, 150hp, a $1500 FF helmet, flashy boy-racer track outfit and the wide open road. If there's anyone the cops want off the road its the sport bike kids. Personally I don't care, but the cops don't like them for several reasons.

 

[GreyGhost]

I blame sport bike riders for the single vehicle accidents. Nothing worse than 20 something years old, 150hp, a $1500 FF helmet, flashy boy-racer track outfit and the wide open road. If there's anyone the cops want off the road its the sport bike kids. Personally I don't care, but the cops don't like them for several reasons.

It would be interesting to see real information. I expect many of the people in the ditch will be middle age new riders on huge cruisers. Their crashes should be slower though so probably more often survivable.

 

[Trials]

I expect none of the single vehicle fatalities cost the insurance carrier anything. Other then a customer rip

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