Nearly two-thirds of collision fatalities on roads patrolled by the New Brunswick RCMP last year involved impairment or not wearing a seatbelt.
That is according to figures included in the New Brunswick RCMP’s 2023 annual report released last week.
RCMP said there were 81 vehicle collision-related fatalities last year compared to 83 deaths in 2022.
Thirty-one people, or 38 per cent, were not wearing a seatbelt — a similar figure to the previous year.
The number of deaths that involved impairment by alcohol or drugs nearly doubled to 22 from 13.
Speeding was a factor in 17 of the fatalities (11 in 2022) and distracted driving in three of them (one in 2022).
There were 11 fatal motorcycle crashes in 2023, up from five the previous year. There were also 11 fatal off-road vehicle collisions.
RCMP also reported eight fatalities involving pedestrians or cyclists. There were six in 2022.
Calls for service down
Mounties in New Brunswick saw fewer calls for service in 2023, according to the report.
Officers responded to a total of 148,849 calls, compared to 149,888 in 2022.
Speeding violations topped the list of calls at 14,541, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of all calls.
There were 9,414 calls for “other non-moving traffic” occurrences, 5,676 calls under the Mental Health Act, 5,661 calls for a suspicious person, vehicle or property and 5,564 calls for “other moving traffic violations.”
Meanwhile, the top Criminal Code offence in 2023 was assault. There were 3,248 occurrences recorded, which police said was similar to the year before.
That was followed by mischief, “other theft” under $5,000, causing a disturbance and uttering threats.
You can view the full report on the New Brunswick RCMP’s website.
