April 14, 2000

SGI Partners with Law Enforcement to Make Roads Safer

SGI and law enforcement attempt to address traffic fatalities

Spring brings a deadly trend in Saskatchewan. The number of people dying in traffic crashes always begins to increase when the weather improves. But while the noticeable increase in traffic deaths used to happen in May or June, in the past two years the number of fatalities climbed in the month of April. An average of six people died in crashes in April from 1994 to 1997. In 1998 and 1999, the average number of people killed on our roads in April jumped to 23.

"In 1999, that contributed to an increase in traffic deaths for the entire year," SGI President Larry Fogg said. "Last year, 186 people died on our roads and highways, compared to 148 the year previous.

"The cause appears to be an increase in high-risk driving behaviour in the spring. Collisions involving alcohol resulting in injury or death increased an average of 56 per cent between the first and second quarters of the last two years. Young people are far over-represented in those numbers. While drivers under the age of 25 account for 18 per cent of Saskatchewan's licensed drivers, they are involved in 32 per cent of collisions resulting in death or injury and 44 per cent of collisions involving alcohol.

"The trends are alarming and they must be turned around," Fogg said. "SGI is launching a hard-hitting awareness campaign designed to make everyone and especially young people, think about their driving behaviour. The campaign asks, 'will you walk away?' We all need to consider whether we'll walk away from a collision or from drinking and driving. The statistics clearly show too many people aren't walking away from the pain they've caused to themselves or to someone else by taking chances behind the wheel."

Provincial law enforcement agencies have also identified high-risk driving behaviour as a problem in the spring months. As part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), they have committed to addressing the problem. RCMP and municipal police forces across the province have made high-risk driving behaviours a priority, especially during the months of April, May and June.

RCMP Division Traffic Supervisor Staff Sergeant Jimm Barr says, "We know from our work on Saskatchewan streets and highways that people take more chances with their driving in the spring. We plan to make our presence known and officers will be even more vigilant than usual about risky driving."

"We know the answer to the problem is two-fold - awareness and enforcement," Fogg said. "By working together to address this problem, we hope we'll save lives."

For media inquiries only, contact:
Barbara Cross
Manager
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 751-1360

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

Back to News Releases