Fewer road injuries and fatalities in 2018 versus 10-year average

“Still, we must do better.” – Hon. Joe Hargrave

Regina, SK (Aug. 2, 2019) – The number of people hurt or killed in traffic collisions on Saskatchewan roads continues to trend downwards, with substantially lower numbers in 2018 than the previous 10-year average.

Preliminary data for 2018 from SGI indicates there were 4,220 people injured and 129 people killed due to vehicle collisions on public roads in Saskatchewan. This represents a 34 per cent drop in injuries and a nine per cent drop in deaths, compared to the yearly averages from 2008-2017 (injuries: 6,353; deaths: 142).

Another positive sign: there were fewer total casualties in 2018 across each of the “Big Four” categories – impairment, distraction/inattention, speeding/aggression, and improper occupant restraint (i.e. seatbelts, car seats and booster seats), compared to the 10-year average. See the attached infographics for more information.

“As a province, we are steadily making progress, and I want to thank the people of Saskatchewan who decide to drive sober, avoid distractions, obey speed limits and buckle up,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave. “Still, we must do better. These are not simply numbers on a spreadsheet – these are human beings. Vehicle collisions injure and kill far too many people every year, and most of those deaths and injuries are preventable.”

Since nearly every fatal collision involves at least one of the “Big Four” factors, there are a few simple steps everyone can take to contribute to making Saskatchewan’s roads safer:

• Never, ever drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Avoid all distractions when driving, including your phone.
• Always wear a seatbelt, and ensure children are in the appropriate car seat or booster.
• Obey the posted speed limit, and reduce your speed when weather or road conditions aren’t ideal.

“Our goal is the safest roads in Canada,” Minister Hargrave said. “We will continue to focus our efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries altogether, and while we might not be there yet, we will keep working to prevent as many as we possibly can to spare victims and their loved ones from unnecessary pain.”

Collisions and Fatalities: Historical Facts

• The highest yearly number of traffic fatalities ever recorded in Saskatchewan’s history was 306, which happened in 1974.
• For each of the years between 1963 to 1988, the number of annual traffic fatalities in Saskatchewan never dropped below 200.
• In 2012, there were 183 people killed on Saskatchewan roads and more than 7,300 injured; this prompted the formation of a Special Committee on Traffic Safety.
• The committee’s recommendations led to a number of significant new pieces of legislation and traffic safety initiatives over the following years:
  • Establishment of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, which has added 120 new officers since 2014 to enforce traffic safety on our roads;
  • Stronger impaired driving laws and consequences (suspensions, impoundments, ignition interlock requirements) introduced in 2014 and 2017;
  • Mandatory booster seats for children under 7 years of age (2014);
  • Harsher penalties for extreme speeders (2014);
  • Bolstered distracted driving laws (2014 and 2017);
  • Introduction of photo speed enforcement (2015).

Infographics

About SGI CANADA

SGI CANADA is the property and casualty insurance division of SGI, offering products in five Canadian provinces. It operates as SGI CANADA in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and also as Coachman Insurance Company in Ontario. Products are sold through a network of independent insurance brokers. For more information, visit www.sgicanada.ca.

Source: Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)

Tags: driving safety, SGI Read the original article at Insurance-Canada.ca