More than half of Canada’s most dangerous winter roads are in Ontario, a new study finds. Weather, wildlife and congestion are among the factors that contribute to crashes.

Fleet management and safety firm Samsara has released a list of the country’s 10 most dangerous winter roads, based on fleet vehicle data collected between 2022 and 2025.

The number one road in Canada:

Erieau Road in Chatham-Kent, near Lake Erie, has a crash rate six times higher than the second-highest road on the list, due to wind, humidity and heavy snow from the sea.

Other dangerous roads in Ontario:

Highway 17 in the Kenora-Dryden area

Highway 11 in Hearst-Kapuskasing

Queen Elizabeth Way along the Burlington Skyway

Highway 401 with two danger spots in Mississauga and between Pearson Airport and Scarborough

Canada's 10 most dangerous roads according to Samsara:

Erieau Road (Ontario)

Yellowhead-Highway 16 (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan)

Highway 2 (Alberta)

Highway of Heroes (New Brunswick)

Timberland Road (B.C.)

Trans-Canada Highway (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario)

Autoroute Jean-Lesage, A-20 (Quebec)

Steeles Avenue East (Ontario)

Highway 43 (Alberta)

Highway 17 (Ontario)

Main causes of accidents:

Roads near water with Heavy snow and high winds

Remote areas with wildlife

Congested areas with heavy vehicles and cars

Winter, the accident season:
Data shows that more than a third of accidents occur in the colder months of the year. Although the Christmas and New Year holidays are relatively quiet, the days before and after them are the most dangerous.

Expert advice:
The CAA and experts advise drivers to drive slowly, stay alert and pay full attention to the road during the winter to avoid potential hazards.