Road Safety and Traffic Trend Reporting in the NWT
Publication Date
Public Service Announcement
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce the release of three important reports that provide valuable insights into road safety, traffic trends, and transportation infrastructure in the Northwest Territories (NWT):
2023/2024 Registrar of Motor Vehicles Report: This report gives a snapshot of vehicles and drivers in the NWT as well as commercial vehicle safety, traffic enforcement, and GNWT’s role during emergencies. You can read the full report here. Some key facts from the report:
A record high of 42,410 vehicles were registered in the NWT by December 2023, representing a 1.1% increase from 2022.
There were also a record 26,823 active driver’s licenses, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
Commercial vehicle activity increased, with 20,687 permits issued.
There was a 25.4% decrease in license suspensions from the previous year.
The Deh Cho Bridge toll revenue was $4.1 million, about 8% lower than in 2022/2023.
2023 Collision Facts Report: This report shares data on traffic collisions that happened across the NWT based on information from RCMP Motor Vehicle Collision reports. It includes detailed information on key factors that affect how serious a crash may be like impaired driving, speeding, and seatbelt use. This data helps us understand road safety risks and guide ways on improving safety. You can read the full report here. Some key facts from the report:
There were 414 reported collisions in 2023, the lowest number since data collection began in 1989.
Four traffic fatalities occurred in 2023, which is close to the 35-year average.
Most collisions happened during the winter months (November to March), while injury-causing collisions were more common in the summer.
Driver error was the most frequent factor in collisions, contributing to 72% of incidents, while environmental factors accounted for 5%.
Unrestrained vehicle occupants (not wearing seat belt) were over three times more likely to suffer injuries than those using seat belts.
2023 NWT Highway Traffic Report: This report looks at traffic patterns on NWT's all-weather roads, winter roads, and ferry crossings, using data from the past 30 years. It helps the GNWT make decisions about road maintenance, safety, and infrastructure projects. You can read the full report here. Some key facts from the report:
The NWT highway network covers 2,450 km of all-weather roads and 1,400 km of winter roads, including four vehicle ferries.
Traffic data collection saw improvements with new portable counters and automated classifiers, resulting in 80% of data being usable for 2023.
The highest traffic volumes were recorded on Highway 3 near Yellowknife, with significant summer peaks.
Commercial vehicle traffic and weigh scale data showed an increase in heavy vehicle movements.
Efforts to maintain road safety included more regular updates on road conditions.
These reports support efforts to improve road safety across the NWT.
The GNWT would like to thank the RCMP and other partners for their ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the traveling public. And to encourage residents to drive safe because together we can make the roads safer for everyone.