Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among 0 to 14-year-olds in BC, after suffocation.¹

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OVERVIEW

Between 2018 and 2022, around 180 motor vehicle occupants were killed annually in crashes across BC. Statistics from this period indicate that over 70% of these fatalities were male, and about 26% were individuals younger than 25 years old.²

In the same timeframe, there was an average of 1,152 hospitalizations of motor vehicle occupants each year in B.C., which equates to approximately 3 hospitalizations per day. Of these injured individuals, about 56% were male. The most common type of injury among these motor vehicle occupants was fractures (63%).³

In 2023, the total costs related to transport incidents involving motor vehicles (including motorcycles, cars, buses) in British Columbia amounted to $347 million, making up 60% of the costs from transport incidents. This included $205 million in direct costs, like healthcare expenditures, and $142 million in indirect costs, such as lost productivity.⁴

Motor vehicle crashes are the third leading cause of injury-related death in those 15-64 years old in BC, and more than 63% of these fatalities have occurred among occupants of vehicles.¹

RESEARCH

Speed Policy Comparison Study (ongoing)

The objective of this study is to identify and compare key factors that contributed to improvements in speed management policy and practice in BC, Canada, and the State of Victoria, Australia—specifically, automated speed enforcement and 30 km/hr speed limits. Key learnings will be used to recommend improvements in each jurisdiction.

Automated speed enforcement survey (2022)

Despite public outcry, automated speed enforcement (ASE) is highly effective in reducing road traffic injuries and deaths. In 2018, a province-wide survey of British Columbians showed a high degree of acceptance of ASE and highlighted the critical elements needed to maintain public support. Findings of this survey were published in the Journal of Transport and Health.

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PREVENTION

• Buckle up: Always use seatbelts and appropriate child restraints when travelling within a vehicle. This includes proper installation and use of child car seats or booster seats.
• Stay sober: Do not drive impaired or under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other recreational drugs, or prescription medications that may affect your perception or reaction time.
• Put the phone down: Avoid distractions, including any cell phone use, panel controls, or noisy passengers.
• Slow down: Adhere to posted speed limits and to the rules of the road.
• Be aware: Shoulder check before changing lanes or making turns. Be alert to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
• Do the ‘Dutch Reach’: The Dutch Reach involves using your hand furthest from the vehicle door to open it, forcing your upper body and head to turn outward. This makes it easier for you to get a clear view of oncoming motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, people using wheelchairs or on scooters, or other vulnerable road users. The Dutch Reach is designed to prevent “dooring” incidents where drivers open their doors into the path of cyclists, which can cause serious injuries.⁵

Transport incidents accounted for almost one-quarter of total costs from injuries among youth 15-24-years-old, of which 60% were motor vehicle incident costs.⁴