Here's Ontario's most dangerous cities for driving and where you'll need to be most careful
And it's not Toronto! 👀🚗
Ontario's most dangerous cities for driving have been revealed.
Driving in Ontario can feel totally different depending on where you are, and a recent study shows just how much your city can impact your safety behind the wheel.
Insurance comparison site MyChoice analyzed over 150,000 car insurance quotes from across the province between 2020 and the end of 2024, examining accident records and infractions such as speeding and distracted driving.
The study ranked road safety using a scoring system ranging from 0 to 5, with accidents weighted more heavily than traffic violations. Accidents accounted for 70% of the score, while offences such as speeding and distracted driving made up the other 30%, highlighting both the severity of crashes and the role infractions play in predicting risk.
From there, they ranked the safest and riskiest places to drive in 2024, and the results aren't what you'd expect.
The report found that the most dangerous city for driving in Ontario is Brantford, with Kingston tied at the same score. Brantford had the highest infraction rate in the province at 15.3% and one of the highest accident rates at 13.6%, earning it a score of just 0.7 out of 5.
Kingston actually had a higher accident rate at 15.5% but far fewer infractions at 10.7%. Because the study weighted accidents more heavily but also factored in violations, Kingston ended up with the same score of 0.7. Burlington followed at 0.8 and Brampton at 1.1.
On the other hand, Toronto, despite its reputation for gridlock and being the city with the highest population, actually came out on top as the safest city for drivers. Only 6.1% of drivers reported an accident on record and 6.3% had infractions, resulting in the city receiving an overall score of 4.5 out of 5. East York, North York, and Whitby followed closely, each earning a score of 4.2.
What's interesting is that larger metro areas, such as Toronto and North York, had far fewer incidents per driver, and mid-sized cities like Brantford and Kingston proved to be much riskier spots to be on the road.
The report suggests there are easy ways for Ontario drivers to boost their safety and even save some cash in the process. One of its most important tips is to use winter tires — not only do they improve safety, but most insurers will also knock 5% off your rate if you have them, it reveals.
The most dangerous cities in Ontario for driving:
- Brantford — 0.7
- Kingston — 0.7
- Burlington — 0.8
- Brampton — 1.1
- Hamilton — 1.3
- Ajax — 1.3
- Bolton — 1.3
- Barrie — 1.5
- Windsor — 1.7
- Pickering — 1.8
MyChoice says since Ontario's no-fault system still takes your personal driving history into account, living in a riskier city doesn't automatically mean you'll pay more. Ultimately, keeping your record clean can go a long way toward keeping premiums down.
The safest cities in Ontario for driving:
- Toronto — 4.5
- East York — 4.2
- North York — 4.2
- Whitby — 4.2
- Scarborough — 3.9
- Markham — 3.8
- Mississauga — 3.7
- Ottawa — 3.6
- Etobicoke — 3.6
- Richmond Hill — 3.4
According to the latest data, there were 382 deaths on roads patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police in 2024. MyChoice hopes that this report will encourage safer driving practices across the province.
This article has been updated.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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