Large truck crashes drop by 24% in Ontario

TORONTO – Ontario is boasting that its roads and highways are the safest in North America as the number of road-related fatalities was the lowest ever recorded in the province.

For commercial transport trucks specifically, the Ministry of Transport reports that the number of people killed in collisions involving heavy trucks dropped to 130 in 2008 from 170 the year before and 143 in 2006.

Fifty-two out of the 135 reported truck fatalities in 2008 involved a straight truck, while 70 involved a single tractor or standard tractor and semi-trailer.

Only two B or C train double combinations were involved in fatal collisions.

Overall, there were fewer drinking and driving related fatalities among all drivers in 2008 (-29%); fewer people killed in speed-related collisions (-17%).

The MTO credits tough new laws for the fall in fatal crashes, including:

Anti- distracted driving measures; immediate three-day licence suspensions for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 to 0.08 (even though the legal limit is still 0.08); immediate 24-hour licence suspensions for drivers under 21 years of age any zero blood alcohol level over zero): and immediate, seven-day suspensions and impoundment of vehicles for street racers and aggressive drivers who drive 50 kilometres per hour or more above the speed limit.