CORNWALL, Ontario – The city of Cornwall saw 48 more motor vehicle collisions in 2019 compared to 2018. There was a total of 1,428 self-reported and on scene collisions throughout the year, which is a rough average of about four incidents every day.
Two individuals were fatally injured in collisions this past year, while 140 individuals sustained non-fatal injuries. There were no fatalities in 2018 involving motor vehicle collisions and 22 less injuries.
The top four intersections with most reported collisions include 23 accidents at Brookdale Ave. and Ninth St., 15 at Brookdale Ave. and Seventh St. West, 12 at Brookdale Ave. and Water St. and 12 at Pitt St. and Tollgate Ave. More than double of all injuries reported in motor vehicle collisions took place at Brookdale Ave. and Ninth St. this past year.
Collisions with pedestrians were reported at Ninth St. and Sydney St. as well as Marlborough St. and Second St.
According to statistics, the months of January and February were the worst for collisions in 2019, with 153 occurring in January and 158 in February. The safest month for local drivers was reportedly August with 100 total collisions.
Thursdays and Fridays are statistically the most dangerous days for drivers, as 247 collisions occurred on a Friday and 240 on a Thursday. Weekend drivers had the least number of incidents, with 167 happening on a Saturday and 139 on a Sunday.
Despite winter months seeing more frequent collisions, about 82 per cent of all accidents occurred during clear weather. Rain, snow, freezing rain, strong winds, fog and other environmental conditions were recognized during 18 per cent of the accidents in 2019. In 64 per cent of the collisions, road conditions were dry. Snow, slush and ice were observed on the roads in 19 per cent of collisions while wet roads were observed during 17 per cent of collisions.
RELATED: Over 60 accidents in Cornwall and SDG after first snowfall
Losing control of the vehicle, failing to yield the right-of-way, disobeying traffic control, performing an improper turn, speeding and following too close were some of the drivers’ actions at the time of collision, specifically 19 per cent of the time. Drivers actions were normal, unknown or classified as ‘other’ 81 per cent of the time. These drivers were in a normal driving state 67 per cent of the time, their state was unknown or not applicable 23 per cent of the time and 10 per cent of the time drivers were impaired with drugs and/or alcohol, tired, inattentive or dealing with a medical disability.
Collisions involving a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol most commonly occurred at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., with incidents most commonly seen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. August saw the most collisions involving impaired drivers, and the common age of this driver was 30-years-old. CPS administered breathalyzer tests 17 times throughout the year.
Collisions with pedestrians most commonly involved a driver not yielding to the pedestrian’s right of way, or the pedestrian running onto the roadway. Drivers were most commonly at fault due to inattentive driving at intersections. Although the most common time for a collision to occur between a pedestrian and a driver was 4 p.m., day and month of these accidents saw no consistency.
