The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Saskatchewan, Canada, reported 12 fatal traffic accidents in the province between July 10 and 21, resulting in 17 deaths. Police confirmed that half of the accidents involved alcohol or drugs. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Traffic Services Inspector Lee Knelson pointed out that July is not yet over, but the accident numbers have already exceeded those of the same period last year. In the past two months, fatal collisions on Saskatchewan’s highways have surged by 77% compared to June and July of last year.
At the same time, fatalities caused by drunk driving or drug driving are also on the rise. Investigations show that 52% of fatal car accidents in the province in the first half of this year were related to alcohol or drugs, a 35% increase compared to the same period last year.
Nielsen stated that people used to think drunk driving mostly happened late at night, but this is not the case; traffic enforcement officers can stop intoxicated drivers throughout the day. Bonny Stevenson’s 17-year-old son, Quinn, was killed by a drunk driver during a long weekend in 2013. She said she cannot understand why drivers still choose to drive under the influence, urging the public to plan their safe journey home in advance and urging passersby to call 911 immediately if they suspect a driver is acting abnormally.
Last month, the Saskatchewan provincial government announced plans to increase penalties for those who fail roadside breathalyzer tests. Potential measures include immediate license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and new immediate financial penalties, in an effort to deter drunk driving before tragedies occur. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) emphasizes that the four leading causes of fatal car crashes are drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing seatbelts.
With the August long weekend approaching, Lona Gervais, Senior Communications Officer for the CAA Saskatchewan, reminds drivers that traffic will increase significantly, urging them to plan their routes in advance, pay attention to road construction and detour information, and strictly adhere to traffic rules. She particularly emphasizes that drivers are legally required to reduce their speed to 60 km/h when encountering emergency vehicles, construction workers, or towing operations.