OTTAWA — Fewer people died on Canada’s roads in 2006 than the year before, the brochure Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics revealed.

Although the number of drivers in Canada continues to increase yearly, figures show that fatalities dropped from the previous year by 0.6 percent, and injuries dropped by 2.6 percent.

Road fatalities represent 95 percent of all transportation related deaths

“Although there was a decrease in the number of lives lost on our roads in 2006, more needs to be done and we must remain vigilant,” said the Lawrence Cannon, minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities.

While road fatalities still represent approximately 95 percent of all transportation-related fatalities, Canada’s road safety record has steadily improved over the years. Since 1987, road traffic deaths have declined by 32.5 percent.

The statistics show that in 2006, there were 2,604 fatal collisions leading to 2,889 deaths. Motor vehicle occupants accounted for 74.9 percent of all road user fatalities, with 1,546 drivers and 617 passengers killed.

Road Safety Vision 2010, an initiative introduced by the federal, provincial and territorial governments and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, aims to raise awareness of road safety issues, to
improve collaboration and cooperation among safety agencies and to toughen enforcement.

This national plan calls for a 30 percent decrease in the number of people killed or seriously injured on Canada’s roads by 2010.