2023 fatal crash numbers jumped across Nova Scotia since August

It may seem to some that there has been an increase in highway fatalities in Nova Scotia this year, but the numbers at the end of October were actually down compared to last year.

However, almost half the fatal crashes – 18 of 40 – happened in the three months from August to October and that is probably affecting perception, RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall said.

There were 48 deaths in those 40 collisions to Oct. 31, compared to 58 deaths in 46 collisions in the same period of 2022.

“Sometimes there is a reason or causality where we’re able to say ‘this is why we saw an uptick over this period of time, and other times it’s just anecdotal and there are no hard stats or information to back it up,” he said. “I haven’t seen anything, it’s not like we’ve seen a terribly poor fall (weather-wise), I’d probably argue that we had a nicer fall than we did a summer, but that might have also led to an increase in people on the roads.”

Without seeing traffic patterns and increases or decreases, he said, it’s hard to explain why there might have been the increase over the past few months compared to the year as a whole.

“Sometimes it’s just that we’ll experience many over a short period and then they’ll level out again. It’s hard to pinpoint what’s causing it.”

Marshall said the main four factors of fatal crashes don’t change, though. Speed, impaired driving, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt continue to be the main causes of fatalities and serious injuries on the province’s roadways.

“The data continues to prove that’s the case, and our traffic services and other members out on the road continue to focus on those four things specifically when they’re conducting traffic enforcement.”

He said motorists need to be alert and drive defensively because even if they’re doing everything right, if another driver isn’t, that car could suddenly be in your lane.

“Everybody needs to be mindful of the environment around them, whether they’re driving or walking down the road,” he said. “The biggest thing is keeping your head on a swivel and continuing to scan your environment: not just what’s ahead of you, but behind you, but also keeping in mind what’s going on to your left and your right.”