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Saskatchewan is currently experiencing a surge in road fatalities, reversing a trend of traffic safety.
According to recent Saskatchewan RCMP reports, roadways have seen a massive spike in deadly crashes, highlighted by a staggering 77% increase in fatal collisions and a 108% increase in lives lost during the peak summer months compared to 2025. Even more alarming is the fact that impairment was a factor in 52% of all fatal crashes in the first half of the year, jumping significantly from 35% during the same timeframe previously.
Decades ago, road fatalities peaked at an all-time high of 306 deaths in 1974. Thanks to stronger public awareness campaigns, fatalities gradually declined, hitting a historic low of 71 deaths in 2019. Unfortunately, that downward trend has reversed with 108 traffic deaths across 30,304 total collisions annually, and current data shows numbers remaining dangerously above normal.
To my understanding, the vast majority of these tragic losses are completely preventable, pointing back to the same four recurring behaviors: speeding, driver distraction, failing to wear a seatbelt, and impaired driving.
I have witnessed many close calls in my travels and in my opinion it all comes down to two issues……….and that is being unaware of your surroundings and a lack of attention.
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