Canada is Second Worst Nation for Drunk Driving

August 25, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

In a ranking that isn't flattering, Canada has come in second place globally (developed nations) for the percentage of road crash deaths involving alcohol for 2015. Fully 3% of all road accident deaths are related to alcohol consumption. That puts us behind South Africa where fully 58% of road accident deaths involve drinking, and ahead of the USA where 31% of deaths are alcohol related.

According to Transport Canada data fatal accident numbers have decreased by 43% since 2000, but the rate of death from alcohol impairment is still unacceptably high for a developed country.

Here are 10 Facts from the report produced by the WHO (World Health Organization):

1. Every year, there are 1.25 million road traffic deaths worldwide
2. 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries
3. Vulnerable road users account for half of all road traffic deaths globally
4. Controlling speed reduces road traffic injuries
5. Drinking alcohol and driving increases the risk of a crash
6. Wearing a good-quality helmet can reduce the risk of death from a road crash by 40%
7. Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of death among front-seat passengers by 40–65%
8. Infant seats, child seats and booster seats can reduce child deaths by 54–80% in the event of a crash
9. Prompt, good-quality pre-hospital care can save the lives of many people injured in road traffic crashes
10. Vehicles sold in 80% of all countries worldwide fail to meet basic safety standards

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.