Ontario Provincial Police say traffic collisions down but fatalities up in 2020

Provincial police say there were fewer traffic collisions in 2020 but fatalities reached historic highs.

They say traffic fell sharply in Ontario last year because of stay-at-home orders and other anti-pandemic measures.

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

There were 75,128 collisions on OPP-patrolled roads in 2019. In 2020, the collisions were 55,581.

Police attribute a significant number of deaths to careless and dangerous driving.

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.