Despite sharing similar cars, roads, and driving habits, the U.S. and Canada are moving in opposite directions when it comes to traffic safety.
From 2011 to 2021, U.S. road deaths climbed 33%, reaching more than 43,000 annually. Over the same period, Canada cut fatalities by 18%, even as its population and driving increased. The contrast is especially stark for vulnerable groups: U.S. pedestrian and cyclist deaths jumped 64%, while Canada reduced them by 17%. Fatal crashes involving large trucks rose 54% in the U.S. but fell 24% in Canada.
Experts say policy differences explain much of the gap. Canada enforces stricter seat belt rules, tougher distracted driving bans, and makes greater use of automated speed cameras. These measures are backed by a nationwide “Safe System” strategy aimed at eliminating traffic deaths, known as Vision Zero.
Analysts estimate that if the U.S. had adopted similar enforcement measures, thousands of lives might have been saved. Instead, America faces rising fatalities, highlighting a growing road safety divide with its northern neighbor.