32 people killed on Ottawa roads in 2026 as motorcyclists push for tougher driver penalties
Ottawa recorded 32 road deaths as of October 22, 2026, up from 23 in 2025. Motorcyclist advocates are calling for Bill 47, which would set fines of up to $50,000 and prison terms for drivers who cause death or serious injury.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on capitalcurrent.ca.
Ottawa recorded 32 road deaths as of October 22, 2026, up from 23 in all of 2025, as motorcyclists push for an Ontario bill that would impose fines of up to $50,000 on drivers who cause death or serious injury, Capital Current reported on November 12.
At least 5 of the 2026 deaths involved motorcyclists. Fatal and major-injury collisions involving motorcyclists in Ottawa nearly doubled from 15 in 2023 to 29 in 2024, according to Capital Current.
What advocates want
The Bikers Rights Organization of Ontario is backing Bill 47, a provincial bill that would set fines of $2,000 to $50,000, up to two years in prison, and licence suspensions of up to five years for drivers who commit traffic violations causing death or serious injury. Capital Current reported the organization's spokesperson Gerry Rhodes saying: "We keep losing people, and there's not justice."
Under the current Highway Traffic Act, a driver can face a fine of up to $500 for an unsafe turn or an illegal lane change even when that move causes a severe injury. Bill 47 would change those penalties at the provincial level.
What Ottawa's police chief said
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs identified distracted driving and speeding as the main causes of collisions, Capital Current reported.
Motorcyclist Blayne Walsh, who was injured in a 2023 collision, told Capital Current that riders face close calls constantly and that many drivers are not paying attention. Capital Current cited Statistics Canada data showing that 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities nationally between 2016 and 2020 involved a T-bone collision or a vehicle turning across opposing traffic.
What the City is doing now
Ottawa's Road Safety Action Plan includes two measures running in 2026, Capital Current reported: fully protected left-turn signals at up to five intersections, and free motorcycle safety training for 100 riders through the Ottawa Safety Council.
The plan runs under City Council. The outgoing council passed it, and the new council, sworn in on November 15, will oversee its ongoing implementation. Riders can contact the Ottawa Safety Council about available motorcycle training course dates.
Ottawa residents who want to raise road safety with the City can contact their new ward councillor, who takes office November 15, or watch the Transportation Committee agenda at the City's meetings site. Find your councillor at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker.
Questions this story answers
How many people have been killed on Ottawa roads in 2026?
Capital Current reported that 32 people were killed on Ottawa roads as of October 22, 2026, compared with 23 deaths in all of 2025. At least 5 of the 2026 deaths involved motorcyclists. The figures were cited in connection with advocacy by the Bikers Rights Organization of Ontario.
What is Bill 47 and what would it do?
Bill 47 is an Ontario bill backed by the Bikers Rights Organization of Ontario. Capital Current reported it would set fines of $2,000 to $50,000, up to two years in prison, and licence suspensions of up to five years for drivers who commit traffic violations that cause death or serious injury. Currently, the Highway Traffic Act allows fines of up to $500 for unsafe turns or illegal lane changes even when they cause severe injuries.
What has Ottawa's Road Safety Action Plan done for motorcycle safety?
Capital Current reported that the City's Road Safety Action Plan includes installing fully protected left-turn signals at up to five intersections in 2026 and providing free motorcycle safety training to 100 riders. The Ottawa Safety Council offers enhanced motorcycle training courses. These are City-funded measures running under the existing plan.
What did Ottawa's police chief say about the cause of collisions?
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs identified distracted driving and speeding as the main causes of the collisions. Capital Current reported his comments as part of its coverage of the road death figures and the motorcyclist advocacy for stricter penalties.
How have motorcycle collision rates changed in recent years?
Capital Current reported that fatal and major-injury collisions involving motorcyclists in Ottawa nearly doubled from 15 in 2023 to 29 in 2024. Capital Current also cited Statistics Canada data showing that 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities nationally between 2016 and 2020 involved a T-bone collision or a vehicle turning across opposing traffic.
What can Ottawa motorcyclists do to get the free safety training?
Capital Current reported that the City's Road Safety Action Plan funds free motorcycle safety training for 100 riders through the Ottawa Safety Council, which offers enhanced training courses. Motorcyclists can contact the Ottawa Safety Council to find out about available course dates and registration.
What can Ottawa residents do about road safety concerns?
Residents can raise road safety concerns with their new city councillor, who takes office November 15. The City's Road Safety Action Plan runs under Council, and councillors sit on the Transportation Committee which oversees road design and safety decisions. Find your councillor at /on/ottawa-2026/tracker.
Who is Blayne Walsh and why is he quoted in the story?
Blayne Walsh is an Ottawa motorcyclist who was injured in a 2023 collision. Capital Current quoted him saying riders face at least one close call a day and that drivers are not paying attention. His account forms part of the reporting on the road safety advocacy campaign. He is not a candidate in the 2026 election.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
Topics
More from voche.me
