It’s a counterintuitive thought: a city choked with traffic, perpetually under construction, and riddled with potholes could actually be the safest place to drive. Yet, recent analysis reveals Toronto holds that very distinction within the province.
A comprehensive study examined data from over 200,000 auto insurance quotes, spanning 2020 to 2025. This wasn’t a simple tally of accidents; researchers meticulously weighed accident records (70%) against infraction data (30%) to create a robust safety index.
Toronto emerged at the top, achieving a remarkable score of 4.6 out of 5. This places it significantly ahead of other major Ontario cities, challenging perceptions shaped by daily commutes.
The key to Toronto’s safety lies in remarkably low accident rates. Only 6.52% of drivers in the city have a reported accident on their record – the lowest percentage among all major municipalities studied.
Infractions are also relatively contained, with approximately 7.17% of drivers having at least one recorded violation. Compounding this positive trend, the city recently documented its lowest traffic fatality total in the last ten years.
This ranking is particularly striking considering the harsh winter conditions. Even during peak winter months, when nearly 200 collisions occur daily across the Greater Toronto Area, the city maintains its safety lead.
The results stand in contrast to a province-wide trend. Collision rates across Ontario have actually increased slightly, rising from 10.78% to 11.06% year over year.
Changes to the city’s speed camera policy may also be contributing to the improved safety record. Automated enforcement is now the standard, potentially influencing both driver behavior and accident patterns.
Experts emphasize the importance of both proactive driving habits and consistent enforcement. While drivers can’t eliminate all risks, they can directly control their actions behind the wheel, fostering a safer environment for everyone.
Beyond Toronto, Markham secured the second-place position with a score of 3.8. Mississauga and Etobicoke tied for third at 3.4, while Ottawa completed the top five with a score of 3.3.
Rounding out the top ten were Niagara Falls (3.1), Waterloo (3.0), Scarborough (2.9), and Richmond Hill and Whitby sharing the tenth spot with a score of 2.7.
The study also identified the most dangerous cities to drive in Ontario. Barrie now holds the unfortunate distinction, previously held by Brantford, with an overall score of just 0.6 out of 5.
Barrie’s decline isn’t due to a spike in infractions, but rather a significant increase in accident rates. Burlington followed closely behind with a score of 0.9, while Brantford dropped to third place with a score of 1.1.
Kingston and Belleville tied for fourth and fifth, each scoring 1.1. The bottom five included Ajax (1.2), Bradford (1.3), Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, and North Bay, all scoring 1.5.
Mid-sized cities like Kingston, Burlington, and Bradford experienced a relative decline in safety, largely due to consistently high collision rates. These areas require focused attention to improve driver safety.
Interestingly, Brampton’s ranking improved, but researchers suggest this may be due to underreporting of accidents. The city’s accident rate appears unusually low compared to its infraction rate, raising questions about data accuracy.
