While summer season has officially started, so does the beginning of an extremely dark period on Quebec roads.

According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec’s (SAAQ) Road Report 2022, 116 people lost their lives in fatal collisions between Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24) and Labour Day. This represents almost a third of all fatalities for a full year. Once again, the 75 deadliest days of the year are aptly named.

It was also during this period that six of the province’s regions experienced their worst road fatalities. Particularly striking were Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine (6 deaths, 67% of the annual total), Mauricie (12 deaths, 60%), Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (10 deaths, 42%), Côte-Nord (6 deaths, 40%), Chaudière-Appalaches (8 deaths, 38%) and Laurentides (18 deaths, 38%).

Avoidable deaths

Remember that 80% of fatal accidents are caused by human error, such as distractions, fatigue, impaired faculties and speed. These factors remain the main causes of road deaths every year.

“Every road user, whatever their mode of transport, has a duty to take individual responsibility in order to collectively improve the situation and beat the statistics. And especially during this busy travel period, when the roads will be crowded, caution and harmonious cohabitation are essential,” says Marco Harrison, Director of the CAA-Quebec Foundation and Road Safety Expert.

The latest data from the SAAQ’s Road Report 2022 also confirms the importance of deploying a national road safety strategy inspired by Vision Zero. By collectively accepting that human error is possible, it is important to give ourselves the tools we need to improve the safety of all road users, especially the most vulnerable. The pillars of this strategy are often mentioned: designing safer facilities, tightening laws and regulations, and relentlessly raising awareness and educating. It’s no longer enough to wish for a better record; we have to act.

Sharing the road is everyone’s business: truckers, motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. “Now is not the time to point the finger at one type in particular, but to take concrete and rapid concerted action to improve the situation,” adds Harrison.

No rush, it’s vacation time!

In addition to the tourists who will be visiting the province this summer, Quebec’s roads will be taken by storm by its own citizens in the coming weeks. In fact, according to our recent annual vacation intentions survey, 57% of Quebecers will be spending their vacations in Quebec. And since the road network will be very busy, CAA-Quebec urges you to be cautious, and invites you to follow these practical tips that might come in handy.

A few tips for a safe vacation :

• Share the road! We can’t stress this enough, but it’s essential to show courtesy, cooperation and respect for the most vulnerable people on the road, whether they’re on bikes, motorcycles or on foot;
• Extend the following distance between vehicles to improve reaction time;
• Adapt your speed and respect speed limits, especially when approaching construction sites;
• Over a distance of 20 km, driving at 110 km/h instead of 90 km/h saves barely two minutes and increases energy consumption by around 15%. Is it really worth it?
• With your trailers and recreational vehicles: don’t drive too fast, as the weight of the trailer considerably increases braking time. Watch out for blind spots: if a vehicle overtakes you, you risk losing sight of it for a long time;
• Apply the five precepts of visual exploration: look high and far, widen your field of vision, keep your eyes moving, make sure you can be seen, plan an escape route.