Allstate study says collisions are on the rise in Canada

A new safe driving study has been released, looking at the communities across the country with the most or least amount of collisions.

When it comes to collisions, Waterloo Region isn’t doing too badly.

A study from Allstate insurance looked at 93 communities across the country and the tri cities did well.

Kitchener sitting at 55, Cambridge at 51, Waterloo at 47 and Woodstock landed at number 9.

For a third year in a row Halifax comes in at the bottom with the highest collision frequency while Northern Ontario’s Hanmar crowned as being the safest community to drive in in Canada.

Allstate Canada offers the below safety advice for drivers across the country:

-Be aware of others on the road. Remember to always safely share the road with cyclists and keep a close eye out for pedestrians. Exercise additional caution when in high-traffic areas and at intersections.

-Mind your speed. One of the key contributors to collisions is a high rate of speed. One of the main steps drivers can take to reduce their chances of being involved in a collision is to reduce their speed.

-Always use your signals. Be vigilant about signaling to indicate a lane change. The second most-common type of collision in this study involved lane changes.

-Don’t follow too closely. Accidents involving cars being rear-ended were the most common type of accident in the study. Leaving enough space to brake safely makes it less likely you’ll bump into the car ahead of you.

-Put down your phone. Distracted driving is a significant contributor to avoidable accidents. Refrain from distractions such as eating or grooming, and consider storing your phone out of arms’ reach so you’re not tempted to look at it while operating your vehicle.

-Never drive impaired. If you’re planning to consume alcohol, plan ahead for your ride home. Options include public transit, a designated driver, or a taxi. If you suspect another driver to be impaired, call 911 and report it to the police.