---
title: "32 people killed on Ottawa roads in 2026 as motorcyclists push for tougher driver penalties"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/ottawa-motorcycle-road-deaths-safety-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-12T21:47:46.117Z"
---

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](/on/ottawa-2026/tracker).

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