New Brunswick Traffic Fatalities on the Rise: What the 2024 RCMP Report Means for Road Safety

Matthew Pearn | December 22, 2025 

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The latest data from the New Brunswick RCMP has sent a sobering message to motorists across the province. The 2024 Annual Report, released in November 2025, confirms a troubling trend: traffic fatalities in RCMP-patrolled areas have spiked by nearly 20% compared to the previous year.

While the province has introduced stricter penalties to curb dangerous driving, the numbers suggest that driver behaviour, specifically impairment and lack of seatbelt use, remains a significant threat to public safety.

Breaking Down the 2024 Statistics

In 2024, the RCMP responded to a total of 6,460 vehicle collisions. While many resulted in property damage, the cost of life in these incidents has reached a multi-year high.

Key Finding from the Report:

• Total Fatalities: 96 fatal motor vehicle collisions (an 18.5% increase from 2023)

• Preventable Factors: A staggering 66.7% of fatal crashes involved either driver impairment or a failure to wear a seatbelt.

• Unharnessed Victims: 41 fatalities occurred where occupants were not wearing seatbelts.

• Impairment: 24 fatalities involved alcohol or drug impairment.

• Vulnerable Road Users: The report noted 11 fatal pedestrian or cyclist collisions and 8 fatal motorcycle crashes.
  

Off-Road Accidents: There were 14 fatal off-road vehicle (ORV) collisions, highlighting that the safety concerns extend well beyond paved highways.

Stricter Laws: The New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act

The rise in fatalities comes despite recent legislative efforts aimed at making New Brunswick roads safer. In June 2023, the province updated the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act, introducing significant penalties for excessive speeding and dangerous driving with a clear goal in mind: deterrence.

Speed (Over Limit)	Vehicle Impoundment	Fine Amount	Demerit Points
50-80 km/h over	7 Days	$500	5 Points
80+ km/h over	30 Days	$1,000	6 Points

The RCMP has matched these legislative changes with increased levels of boots-on-the-ground (or wheels-on-the-road) enforcement. In 2024 alone, officers conducted 1,017 checkstops, inspected nearly 28,000 vehicles and issued 16,464 tickets.

The Four Pillars of Road Safety

As we head into the winter months—traditionally the most dangerous time of year for New Brunswick drivers—these numbers serve as a timely warning. The RCMP’s report proves that, even with 388 roadside suspensions and thousands of inspections, the responsibility for safety ultimately rests with the driver behind the wheel.

According to the RCMP, the vast majority of these tragedies are preventable, and the consequences are rarely limited to a ticket or a fine. To protect yourself and your family, the Four Pillars of Safe Driving remain the most effective defence:

• Buckle up: Seatbelts are the simplest and most effective way to save your life in a crash.

• Drive Sober: With 24 deaths linked to impairment, the risk of drugs and alcohol cannot be overstated.

• Follow the Speed Limit: High speeds reduce reaction time and increase the force of impact.

• Put Down Your Phone: Distracted driving remains a leading factor in injury-causing collisions.

How Whitehead, Miles and Allen LLP Will Help You

The statistics in the RCMP’s 2024 report are more than just numbers—they represent families across New Brunswick whose lives have been permanently changed. While the "Four Pillars" are our best defence against becoming a statistic, the reality is that you cannot control the behaviour of other drivers on the road.

If you or a family member are dealing with the aftermath of a serious or fatal accident, it can feel overwhelming. Beyond the immediate physical and emotional trauma, victims are often left alone to navigate a complex web of insurance claims, medical assessments, and lost household income.

At Whitehead, Miles and Allen LLP, we see the human stories behind these reports. We are here to ensure that your rights are preserved while you focus on healing. We're here to navigate the claim processes, secure the necessary resources and documentation, and advocate for accountability so that the burden doesn't rest on your shoulders.

You do not have to navigate this path alone. If you have been affected by a motor vehicle accident, contact us today for a professional consultation to discuss your legal options and how to protect your future.