Line Graph: Vehicle Collisions in Ontario
Previewing a graph involves looking at the title of the graph, and the titles of the X- and Y-axis. These titles
summarize the topic of the graph and how the data are organized.
1
Skim the graph titles. Answer the questions below.
1. Read the title of the graph. What does the line graph illustrate?
2. What do the numbers on the Y- and X-axis represent?
3. What is the range of the scales on the Y- and X-axis?
2
Read the text and the graph below.
Vehicle Collisions in Ontario
Every year, Ontario produces the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report. This report is posted on the
Ontario Ministry of Transportation website for anyone to read.
The latest report is from 2005. It states that Ontario is a world leader in road safety. Even though
Ontario had more registered drivers that year than ever before, only 766 people died in vehicle
collisions in 2005. That was the lowest number since 1948!
When comparing statistics from 2004, the report shows that in 2005 there were:
•
fewer fatalities and injuries overall
•
fewer fatalities and injuries from collisions related to drinking and driving
•
fewer fatalities involving large trucks
•
fewer fatalities among drivers 16–19 years of age
However, what did increase was the number of fatalities resulting from speeding or losing control
of a vehicle. This factor caused 6 per cent more fatalities in 2005 than in the previous year.
Data Source: Ontario Road Safety Annual Report, 2005
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Line Graph: Vehicle Collisions in Ontario (Cont.)
A line graph is often used to show how something changes over time. Describing a line graph involves using
language that describes what has changed, how it has changed and how quickly it has changed. You can describe
changes in a graph by using an appropriate verb to describe the change, and an adverb to describe the verb (or how
quickly the change occurred).
For example:
The number of fatalities or injuries from vehicle collisions dropped slightly between 1996 and 1997.
What changed?
How did it change? (verb)
How fast or much
did it change? (adverb)
The number of fatalities
or injuries from vehicle
collisions
•
•
•
decreased
increased
declined
•
•
•
slightly
rapidly
quickly
•
dropped
•
significantly
•
held steady
•
slowly
•
sharply
•
steadily
3
When did it change?
•
•
between ___ and ___
since ___
Write an appropriate verb and adverb (from the list above) in the sentences below.
1. Between 1988 and 1989, the number of collisions causing death or injury increased (verb)
slightly (adverb).
2. Between 1989 and 1991, the number of collisions causing death or injury
(adverb).
(verb)
3. Between 1991 and 1996, the number of collisions causing death or injury
4. Between 2000 and 2001, the number of collisions causing death or injury
(adverb).
(verb)
5. Between 2002 and 2005, the number of collisions causing death or injury
(adverb).
(verb)
6. Since 1989, the number of collisions causing death or injury has
(adverb).
LINC 5
.
(verb)
Chapter 5 | Managing Information | Reading
35
Line Graph: Vehicle Collisions in Ontario (Cont.)
You can express the degree of change in two ways:
a)
by using a verb and an adverb (as in activity 1) or
Gas prices have been increasing steadily.
b)
by using an adjective (expressing the degree of change) and a noun (expressing the change).
There has been a steady increase in gas prices.
For each sentence in Activity 1 on the previous page, change the adverb to an adjective,
and change the verb to a noun. The first one is done for you.
4
1. Between 1988 and 1989, there was a
slight
(adjective)
2. Between 1989 and 1991, there was a
(adjective)
increase
(noun).
(noun).
3.
4.
5.
6.
Discuss the following questions in groups. Then present your position to the class.
5
1. Over the past 10 years, fines for speeding and impaired driving have increased. New drivers also
have to wait longer to get a full driver’s licence. Do you think the Ontario government should
continue to strengthen its driving laws? Support your opinion with facts from the graph.
2. Do you think the number of collisions causing deaths or injuries in Ontario will keep decreasing?
Why?
3. What other factors do you think have contributed to a decrease in traffic fatalities and injuries in
Ontario? How?
6
Search the Internet for the latest Ontario Road Safety Annual Report . Scan the table of contents
for types of collisions . Find out how many collisions caused deaths, and how this figure has
changed from10 and 20 years ago. Report your findings to the class.
Possible search term: Ontario Road Safety Annual Report
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Chapter 5 | Managing Information | Reading
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