Road Rage Incidents Are Up by 9.25% in Ontario Since 2020
Road rage continues to be a persistent issue for Ontario drivers. Earlier this month, a man in Northern Ontario was nearly killed in a road rage incident. Another road rage incident led to a multiple-vehicle crash in Mississauga in May 2024, according to OPP. Unfortunately, these incidents are not one-off occurrences.
To gauge the seriousness of the problem, our team at MyChoice, a leading insurtech company in Canada, conducted a comprehensive study examining road rage trends over the past five years. The aim was to identify which Ontario cities experience the highest rates of aggressive driving and infractions. Using data drawn from over 150,000 car insurance quotes since 2020 – covering infractions such as speeding, failure to stop, failure to signal, improper lane change, improper passing, following too closely, and distracted driving – the study highlights areas where drivers should exercise extra caution.
Key Findings from the Study:
- Road rage-related infractions have risen by 9.25% in Ontario since 2020, indicating a growing concern for both drivers and law enforcement.
- Brampton tops the list of the cities with the highest rate of road rage incidents in the province with a 6.05% share.
- North York (4.63%) and Scarborough (4.51%) both show high aggression levels, highlighting concerns in these densely populated GTA regions.
- Hamilton (3.84%), Mississauga (3.52%) and Toronto (3.12%) remain lower overall but still have a significant number of aggressive driving cases due to its sheer volume of drivers.
- London (3.04%), Etobicoke (2.89%), Oshawa (2.37%), and Kitchener (2.29%) round out the top 10, each showing moderate yet concerning rates of road rage.
MyChoice CEO, Aren Mirzaian, stresses the importance of patience and proper vehicle maintenance to mitigate road rage incidents: “Road rage can affect your driving focus and increase the likelihood of accidents or infractions, both of which can spike your insurance premiums. Maintaining composure behind the wheel, keeping your vehicle in top shape (including installing winter tires for safety), and obeying traffic laws are the most effective ways to protect yourself and others on the road.”
Ontario operates under a no-fault insurance system, but fault determinations and claims history still significantly influence your premiums. For drivers in high-risk cities, maintaining a clean record – avoiding tickets and accidents – can lead to substantial insurance savings. Even small infractions, such as improper lane changes or failure to signal, can impact your rates.
By shining a spotlight on these rankings, MyChoice aims to encourage better driving habits, bolster road safety, and ultimately help Ontario residents secure the most competitive car insurance rates.
% Of Drivers With Road Rage Incidents on Record
- BRAMPTON: 6.05%
- NORTH YORK: 4.63%
- SCARBOROUGH: 4.51%
- HAMILTON: 3.84%
- MISSISSAUGA: 3.52%
- TORONTO: 3.12%
- LONDON: 3.04%
- ETOBICOKE: 2.89%
- OSHAWA: 2.37%
- KITCHENER: 2.29%
- BARRIE: 1.62%
- BRANTFORD: 1.54%
- OTTAWA: 1.42%
- ST CATHARINES: 1.38%
- AJAX: 1.34%
- NEPEAN: 1.34%
- CAMBRIDGE: 1.27%
- WINDSOR: 1.23%
- EAST YORK: 1.19%
- BURLINGTON: 1.15%