BC Collision Statistics & Traffic Injury Estimates (2026)

collision counter imageTraffic safety remains a critical public health and economic challenge across British Columbia. The rolling model below provides a live, data-driven projection of cumulative road safety outcomes and transport incidents across the province since January 1, 2026:

Howell v Strutt: Passing, Sun Glare and a Hidden Highway Hazard

BC Courts Coat of ArmsA driver preparing to pass a large commercial vehicle needs more than a clear passing lane. The driver also needs to be able to see far enough ahead to recognize hazards and complete the pass safely. A British Columbia Supreme Court decision illustrates how quickly that ability can disappear when a large vehicle blocks the sun and a driver moves out from behind it.

Marked Departure from the Norm for a Reasonable and Prudent Driver

BC Courts Coat of ArmsWhen a driver is involved in a serious collision, particularly one resulting in death or injury, there is often an expectation that someone should be held criminally responsible. However, a serious collision does not necessarily mean that a crime has been committed.

In Car Television and Video Displays

A standard front-facing car dashboard camera mounted on a windshield suction cup bracket, showing the wide-angle camera lens and black compact housingQuestion: Is it legal to install a television, video screen or dash camera in a motor vehicle? The answer depends on what the equipment does, what it displays, whether the driver can see the display and, in some circumstances, the class of driver's licence. Modern vehicles increasingly use electronic displays for entertainment, navigation and vehicle information. British Columbia's laws place limits on what a driver may view or operate while driving.

Winter Cycling

cyclist riding a bicycle in winter weatherShould cyclists be using the streets in winter? That question arose when uncleared pathways and cycling routes in one Vancouver Island municipality forced cyclists to use plowed streets instead. It is a reasonable question, particularly when snow and ice make cycling more difficult for everyone.

When Lane-Keeping Assist Fights the Driver

adas equipped car being driven by a robotImagine approaching a cyclist riding near the right edge of the highway. You check for traffic, decide it is safe to move left to give the cyclist more room, and begin steering away from them. Suddenly, your vehicle applies steering input in the opposite direction, trying to guide you back toward the right.

Clearing Ice and Snow From Your Vehicle

image of a windshield ice scraperWinter brings an additional responsibility before you drive: making sure your vehicle is completely clear of snow and ice. It is a task that takes a few minutes, but too many drivers seem willing to skip it, relying instead on their windshield wipers and defroster to clear just enough of the glass to see the road ahead.

A Pedestrian Waiting at a Crosswalk: What Must a Driver Anticipate?

BC Courts Coat of ArmsWhen a pedestrian is waiting beside a crosswalk, does a driver have to anticipate that the person may step onto the road? What if the pedestrian does not have the right of way, or the crosswalk's flashing lights have not been activated?

Sirens Disturbing My Sleep

AmbulanceQuestion: At all hours of the day or night emergency vehicles will use their sirens. I live in a small quiet suburb and it is not fun being awakened at 3 or 4 in the morning because of this. I can appreciate what these folks have to contend with as far as dumb drivers are concerned, but in the early hours of the morning when there are no cars they should not use their sirens.

Changes to BC’s Graduated Licensing Program

image of N and L New Driver sign for BCBritish Columbia made several changes to its Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) on October 19, 2026. The changes affect how long some drivers must hold a learner's licence, who may supervise them, passenger restrictions, new-driver signs and zero-tolerance rules for certain Class 5 drivers.