Mayor Harris: Progress Report: Fewer road injuries and fatalities - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday August 8th, 2019 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday August 8th, 2019 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: Progress Report: Fewer road injuries and fatalities

Progress Report: Fewer road injuries and fatalities in 2018 compared to 10-year average

Backgrounder

Aug 2, 2019

“Still, we must do better.” - Honourable Joe Hargrave

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 2018¹ 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.

SGI Progress Report on Collisions and Fatalities backgrounder (pdf)

“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.”

Footnotes

These numbers are preliminary, based on data available from police forces in Saskatchewan, and may be adjusted. ↩

Contact

Media inquiries
Tyler McMurchy, Manager, Media Relations, Saskatchewan Government Insurance
306-751-1837 306-535-6207 (cell) tmcmurchy@sgi.sk.ca

News Releases, Collision Statistics, Road Safety

SGI Progress Report on Collisions and Fatalities backgrounder (pdf)

Safest roads in Canada start with you!

The Town Newsletter for July/August has information about upcoming events.

http://nebula.wsimg.com/cfb5bed347d3333bffb98cfe7e10d9a3?AccessKeyId=8FDCD8B21756BBDF4E0D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Events:

Bingo 606 Harvard Preeceville Air Cadets Squadron Sponsoring Committee BINGO. Every Thursday at Club 60. Doors open at 7pm, first game starts at 8pm.