As Canada Road Safety Week ended and Saskatchewan residents returned from the May long weekend, RCMP officials emphasized the importance of safe driving habits in light of a concerning increase in road fatalities.
A media release sent late last week highlighted the safety campaign.
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This year’s safety campaign, which takes place each year during the week leading up to the unofficial start of summer, used the theme “Road Safety: Every Road, Every Day, Everyone.”
Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services said the message is one that all drivers should take seriously.
“When you drive too fast, aggressively, while distracted or while impaired, you increase the risk that you, your passengers or other road users will be hurt, or even killed,” said Insp. Lee Knelsen, operations officer for Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
As of mid-May, 29 people had died on Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction roads. That represents a 38 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
“These deaths are tragic, particularly when you know some collisions can be avoided,” Knelsen said.
In 2024, impaired driving contributed to 44 per cent of fatal crashes in RCMP-policed areas, while the failure to use safety gear like seatbelts and motorcycle helmets led to 24 deaths.
Canada Road Safety Week focuses on reducing dangerous driving behaviours. These include impaired driving caused by drugs, alcohol or fatigue. Additionally, it includes distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving without a seatbelt.
Before driving, police advised drivers to do the following.
- Check highway conditions
- allow extra travel time to avoid speeding
- remove distractions such as mobile phone, and plan a safe ride home if using alcohol or drugs
- Ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up. That includes using approved car seats for young children.
“Let’s all do our part to make sure everyone on the roads gets where they need to go, safely,” said Knelsen.
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