Driving in Canada
As of May 2023, 82.6 percent of people in Canada use private automobiles as their primary form of transportation to their workplace.[1] Canada recorded nearly 26 million registered vehicles in 2020.[2]
The rules of the road
[edit]Canadian traffic laws are enforced under federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal jurisdictions.[3] Canada utilizes a right-hand traffic pattern, requiring traffic to keep to the right. Some provinces, however, initially had left-hand traffic patterns, with the exception of Quebec and Ontario which always had right-hand patterns.[4]
Unless there is a sign indicating otherwise, drivers are permitted to turn right on red everywhere in Canada except the Island of Montreal.[5] Generally, drivers at uncontrolled intersections and all-way stops have the right-of-way if they are the first to stop at the intersection,[6][7] with priority to the right being enforced if multiple vehicles arrive simultaneously.[8]
Speed limits
[edit]Speed limits are set by either the federal, provincial, or municipal governments depending on the jurisdiction under which the road falls.[9] In national parks for example, speed limits are set by Parks Canada, an agency of the federal government.[10][11][12] Depending on where you are driving, the speed limit typically ranges from 30 km/h to 100 km/h;[5] highway speed limits usually range from 100 km/h to 110 km/h depending on the province. British Columbia's highways have a speed limit of 120 km/h.[13]
Seat belt use
[edit]Seat belt legislation is determined by province,[14] all of which having passed legislation requiring seat belt use.[15]
Driver's license
[edit]A driver's license is legally required to drive a motor vehicle in Canada. These licenses are issued by provincial/territorial governments, and must be carried when driving. The process to obtain a driver's license varies by province or territory, but typically contains a written test and a driving test.[16]
Risk and safety performance
[edit]In 2020, Transport Canada recorded 104,286 and 1,746 fatalities from vehicle collisions, an average decrease from 2011.[2]
Insurance
[edit]In Canada, vehicle insurance is mandatory for all vehicle owners.[17] Insurance structure varies between provinces: most provinces operate within private markets, but three provinces—British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—utilize a mandatory, government-issued minimum coverage. Quebec follows a model in which injury-related claims are covered by the government insurer while property damage is covered by private insurers.[18]
References
[edit]
- ^ "Commuting to work by car and public transit grows in 2023". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. August 22, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Road Safety in Canada 2020". Transport Canada. Government of Canada. 23 December 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Klar, Lewis N. (February 7, 2006). "Traffic Law in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Wright, Julia (December 1, 2018). "The day New Brunswick switched to driving on the right". CBC News. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Canadian Highway Code". Authentik Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ McIntosh, Jil (February 13, 2019). "Yielding the Right-of-Way: How It Works". Driving.ca. Postmedia Network. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Tchir, Jason (February 19, 2023). "Who has the right-of-way at a two-way stop sign?". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Lahey, Liam (September 8, 2023). "Right-of-way in Canada: road rules explained". rates.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Gilchrist, C.W. "Roads and Highways". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Steel, Paul; McGregor, Robyn V.; Guebert, Alfred A.; McGuire, Terry M. "Application of Variable Speed Limits Along the Trans Canada Highway in Banff National Park" (PDF). Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Safety on the road at La Mauricie National Park". Parks Canada. Government of Canada. 26 June 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Evaluation of Parks Canada's Through Highway Management" (PDF). Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation Parks Canada. November 22, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Beattie, Samantha (April 24, 2024). "Hamilton-area highways will get higher speed limits starting this summer". CBC News. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Hyshka, Ashley; McLaughlin, Ross (July 10, 2019). "Why isn't safety technology standard on all brand new vehicles?". CTV Vancouver. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Ruppenthal, K.M.; Bonikowsky, Laura Neilson (February 7, 2006). "Automobile". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "Driving in Canada". Government of Canada. 10 May 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Car insurance". Government of Canada. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. 7 June 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "Mandatory auto coverages where you live". Insurance Bureau of Canada. Retrieved October 15, 2024.