Bill Van Beers is extra cautious as he observes drivers speeding past his residence on Adelaide Street in central London, Ontario. Over 50 buildings have been struck by vehicles in 2025, a concerning figure according to safety advocates. Angelo DiCicco, the head of the Ontario Safety League, expressed surprise at the high number, stating that 50 incidents were unexpected, with previous years having 47 vehicles crashing into buildings annually.
Data obtained from a freedom-of-information request to the London police revealed that in the first 10 months of 2025, there were 50 such crashes, translating to an average of five cars colliding with buildings each month in London. DiCicco emphasized that most of these crashes result from simple errors, highlighting the importance of safety training provided by his non-profit to reduce preventable accidents in the province.
A recent incident outside Van Beers’s home on October 5 caused significant damage to the front porch. The driver involved faced charges related to impaired driving, leading Van Beers to closely monitor speeding and distracted drivers near his residence while arranging for repairs.
London police Acting Sgt. Greg Pearson mentioned that various factors such as impaired driving, navigation errors, and pedal confusion contribute to these incidents. Pearson stressed the goal of minimizing such crashes, although achieving zero accidents poses challenges. Instances of pedal confusion, while less likely to cause severe injuries to drivers due to lower speeds, pose risks to pedestrians and building occupants.
DiCicco highlighted the role of distraction as the primary cause of incidents, emphasizing the need for regular retesting of professional drivers and self-evaluation of driving abilities for others. He noted that distraction remains a significant factor in accidents, and multitasking while driving is a dangerous misconception.
In Waterloo Region, a similar trend was observed, with 63 vehicles crashing into buildings in 2024 and 67 in 2025, as reported by the Waterloo Regional Police Service. The increase in such incidents underscores the importance of promoting road safety awareness and responsible driving practices.