Driving in Canada

Last updated

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]

Contents

The rules of the road

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

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

Seat belt legislation is determined by province, [14] all of which having passed legislation requiring seat belt use. [15]

Driver's license

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

In 2020, Transport Canada recorded 104,286 and 1,746 fatalities from vehicle collisions, an average decrease from 2011. [2]

Insurance

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

  1. ↑ "Commuting to work by car and public transit grows in 2023". Statistics Canada . Government of Canada. August 22, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Road Safety in Canada 2020". Transport Canada . Government of Canada. 23 December 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  3. ↑ Klar, Lewis N. (February 7, 2006). "Traffic Law in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  4. ↑ Wright, Julia (December 1, 2018). "The day New Brunswick switched to driving on the right". CBC News . Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Canadian Highway Code". Authentik Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  6. ↑ McIntosh, Jil (February 13, 2019). "Yielding the Right-of-Way: How It Works". Driving.ca. Postmedia Network . Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Lahey, Liam (September 8, 2023). "Right-of-way in Canada: road rules explained". rates.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ Gilchrist, C.W. "Roads and Highways". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ "Safety on the road at La Mauricie National Park". Parks Canada . Government of Canada. 26 June 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Evaluation of Parks Canada's Through Highway Management" (PDF). Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation Parks Canada. November 22, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  13. ↑ Beattie, Samantha (April 24, 2024). "Hamilton-area highways will get higher speed limits starting this summer". CBC News . Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  14. ↑ Hyshka, Ashley; McLaughlin, Ross (July 10, 2019). "Why isn't safety technology standard on all brand new vehicles?". CTV Vancouver . Retrieved October 15, 2024.[ dead link ]
  15. ↑ Ruppenthal, K.M.; Bonikowsky, Laura Neilson (February 7, 2006). "Automobile". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Driving in Canada". Government of Canada . 10 May 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Car insurance". Government of Canada . Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. 7 June 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Mandatory auto coverages where you live". Insurance Bureau of Canada . Retrieved October 15, 2024.
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