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7 minute read Published on Aug 27, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Highways are designed to move large amounts of traffic at higher speeds, but it is those same features that also make car accidents more severe when they happen. According to the latest data from Transport Canada, more than 1,960 people were killed and 9,200 seriously injured in motor vehicle collisions in 2023.
On Canadian highways, the most serious accidents tend to be linked to the same causes over and over again, with speed coming in at number one. Read on to learn more about what causes highway accidents and what you can do to avoid them.
Distracted driving has long been one of the most common causes of car accidents in Canada. On highways, distraction is especially dangerous because vehicles are moving quickly and covering long distances in seconds.
Looking at a phone, adjusting a screen or reaching for something inside the vehicle means attention is taken away at the exact moment it may be needed. At highway speeds, even a few seconds of inattention can mean travelling the length of a football field without seeing what’s ahead.
In Canada, most distracted-driving laws focus on using a hand-held device while driving, but there are other distractions that still increase your crash risk, even if they’re not always ticketable, like eating or adjusting the radio. The safest approach is to remove distractions entirely before entering the highway by:
Putting your phone out of reach
Setting navigation, music and climate controls in advance
Eating before you leave or after you arrive
Between 2017 and 2021, as well as in 2023, speed was the leading cause of fatal car accidents in Canada. Speeding is more common when drivers:
Feel pressure to match the flow of traffic
Underestimate the current road condition
Assume a clear or empty road is safe to speed on
Even just a slight increase in your speed when you’re already driving highway speeds can shorten the amount of time you have to respond to traffic changes. Driving too fast in poor weather or even traffic congestion is also a factor, even if you’re following the posted speed limits. Road conditions can change quickly on highways, and drivers who don’t adjust their speed accordingly are more likely to lose control or collide with other vehicles. So make sure to give any speeding drivers plenty of space.
Alcohol and drugs affect your judgment, coordination and vision. On highways, these effects are especially dangerous because drivers must be able to accurately judge distance, maintain their lane position and respond quickly to any sudden traffic changes.
Alcohol, cannabis and certain medications can all impair a person’s driving ability. The penalties for driving impaired can be severe across Canada, and many provinces have a zero-tolerance rule for novice drivers. Impaired driving includes drunk driving and driving while high.
If you plan to partake in any of these, it is essential that you plan for alternative transportation in advance, such as using a designated driver, rideshare or even public transit. It’s the only reliable way to prevent impaired driving.
Aggressive driving, often referred to as road rage, increases the odds of engaging in unsafe driving behaviours. Some of these include:
Tailgating
Speeding
Unsafe lane changes
Weaving through traffic
Failing to signal
On highways, these actions often force other drivers to brake or change lanes suddenly, increasing the chance of multi-vehicle collisions. These behaviours may also be taken into account when fault is assessed after a crash, which could lead to higher car insurance premiums and impacts on your driving record.
While drivers may feel frustrated at times, it’s never okay to drive erratically, putting everyone else on the road at risk. That’s why it’s important to remember to take deep breaths and pull over if you’re angry or overwhelmed.
When you’re tired while driving, your fatigue reduces your alertness and reaction time, especially when you’re travelling down long highways or driving at night. It can also cause you to struggle to keep your eyes open, making it harder to see the road clearly.
Because drowsiness often builds gradually, drivers may not notice it right away. Early signs can include drifting within the lane or failing to respond to changes in traffic speed.
It’s important to assess your level of tiredness before you drive. But if you start feeling fatigued while driving, be sure to:
Take regular breaks
Switch drivers if possible
Stop altogether when your alertness drops
Adverse weather conditions can make it harder to see road hazards and judge the distance between you and other vehicles. On highways, where traffic tends to be more dense at higher speeds, things like rain, snow, ice, fog and glare can increase the likelihood of driver errors.
Drivers who fail to adjust their driving to reduced visibility or traction are more likely to lose control or collide with other vehicles. If you find yourself driving in poor weather conditions:
Slow down to match your speed with other drivers
Increase your following distance to four to six seconds
It’s also a good idea to use winter tires during the colder months, as they help reduce the risk of accidents in snowy or icy conditions.
Highway merges and lane changes rely on matching your speed with other road users and watching your surroundings carefully. When you signal late, misjudge a gap or fail to check your blind spots, you may force other traffic to brake or change lanes suddenly.
When you’re driving at high speeds and need to change lanes, it’s important that you:
Signal early to let other drivers know
Check your mirrors and blind spots
Choose a large enough gap
Re-check and merge
Frequent highway driving can put ongoing strain on your vehicle’s tires and brakes. If these components aren’t in good shape, it can affect your ability to react when traffic slows or changes suddenly. Regular car maintenance can help make sure your vehicle responds exactly how you want it to when you need it to.
Construction zones often change the regular flow of traffic by narrowing lanes and creating unexpected slowdowns. Plus, things like uneven pavement, debris and roadside workers leave even less room for error when drivers are distracted or don’t slow down.
Not to mention that traffic delays can also increase the risk of aggression or unsafe driving from other road users. When driving through construction zones, it’s important to:
Stay in your lane
Maintain a safe following distance
Obey all posted instructions and speed limits
Watch closely for any roadside workers
When a crash happens on a highway, it is often more serious than on city streets because vehicles are travelling at higher speeds. Transport Canada data shows that fatal accidents occur more frequently on rural roads, which include highways. Here’s why:
Highway crashes tend to be more severe largely because of speed. When someone is travelling at a high rate of speed, it reduces the amount of time they have to react to a sudden situation. According to Transport Canada, a large vehicle travelling at 100 km/h can cover about 90 metres in just three seconds.
The Ottawa Safety Council explains that the average reaction time is 2.5 seconds and calculates that a vehicle travelling 50 km/h in ideal road conditions has an average stopping distance of about 63 metres. That’s almost two-thirds of a football field (105 metres).
Using their calculation methods, we can estimate that a vehicle travelling 100 km/h in ideal road conditions has an average stopping distance of about 213 metres* or two full football fields. Because of that added stopping distance, a driver may not be able to stop in time before colliding with another vehicle or object on the road.
When a vehicle is travelling faster, it has more force (energy) behind it. As your speed increases, the amount of energy also rises. During a collision, all of that energy is then released to be absorbed by the vehicle and the people inside. The more force involved, the more strain it puts on the body, which increases the chance of serious injury.
*This is an estimate. Actual stopping distance can be longer or shorter depending on tires, brakes, vehicle weight and road conditions.
Due to higher speeds and the amount of force involved, car crashes on highways are likely to cause more severe injuries. At these speeds, you’re more likely to see:
Head and neck injuries
Spinal injuries
Internal injuries
Multiple-system trauma
After a collision, your first priority should be safety. Move to a safe location if possible and call emergency services when needed. When it is safe to do so, document the scene and exchange insurance information with any other drivers involved. You should also call your insurance provider as soon as possible so the claim process can begin.
Some car accident injuries can appear hours or even days later. Getting a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel injured, can protect your health and make sure injuries are properly documented for insurance purposes.
When a driver is found at fault for a highway collision, it can affect their future insurance costs. But how fault is determined and how vehicle damage is paid for depends on the province or territory. In some provinces, car accident claims for property damage are handled through direct compensation–property damage (DCPD), while others use different systems. Personal injury claims may also follow public or private insurance models, depending on where you live.
Because these systems vary, the outcome of a claim and its impact on your insurance premiums can differ even for similar accidents. Coverage options like accident forgiveness may help reduce the long-term effect of a claim where they’re available.
Car insurance rules and claims processes vary by province and territory. A licensed broker can help explain how they apply where you live.
If you’re involved in a collision, a BrokerLink advisor can help explain how a claim may affect your premium and answer any questions you have about coverage. We can also walk you through the most common types of car accidents and offer all kinds of safe driving tips to help you avoid collisions.
Further, as car insurance experts, we can explain each type of auto insurance and make a recommendation as to the types that make the most sense for you. Learn more about auto insurance and receive a free car insurance quote by getting in touch with BrokerLink today!
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