CAA-Quebec is urging drivers to be more cautious on the road as the upcoming St-Jean holiday marks the beginning of the 75 deadliest days on the province’s roads.
According to the latest statistics from Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), there was an improvement from summer 2023 compared to 2022.
There was a decrease of nearly 20 per cent in all road deaths – where 93 people died in 2023 – compared to 116 in 2022.
“The season for big travels is just around the corner,” said CAA-Quebec Community relations and road safety director André Durocher. “Although we had a better record last year, please be courteous and cautious, regardless of your chosen mode of transportation.”
However, some regions had a worse record in 2023.
In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, 54 per cent of their annual deaths (13 deaths out of 24) occurred in the summer, Mauricie had 31 per cent (five out of 16), Chaudière-Appalaches had 31 per cent (11 out of 35), Lanaudière had 30 per cent (eight out of 26), Montreal was 29 per cent (9 out of 31) and Estrie sat at 25 per cent (6 out of 24).
Tips for a great season on Quebec roads
According to a vacation plan survey by CAA-Quebec, 57 per cent of Quebecers plan to be on the roads – expect drives to be busy, especially in August.
They’ve released a few tips to help keep the roads safe:
•Sharing the road by being courteous to vulnerable users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
•Keep more distance between you and the vehicles for a better reaction time.
•Reduce your speed and respect limits, especially near construction zones, and avoid distractions. These are the most common causes of accidents.
•Reminder: driving faster by only 20 km/h over a 20 km distance only saves you two minutes, but increases fuel consumption by 15 per cent.
•With trailers or recreational vehicles, avoid excessive speeding to give you enough braking time, and pay attention to blind spots.
•Apply the five principles of visual scanning: look up and ahead, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, make sure you can be seen and leave yourself an out.