In 2018, SGI recorded a 34 per cent drop in injuries and a nine per cent drop in fatalities caused due to traffic collisions from the previous 10 years of data, indicating that the province is on a downward trend.
Preliminary data released recently concludes that 4,220 people were injured in traffic collisions last year and 129 people were killed, lower than the yearly averages from 2008-2017 which saw 6,353 injuries and 142 deaths.
Last year’s numbers were also lower across the four major categories of traffic infractions resulting in fatalities — impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and improper seatbelt use — compared to the 10-year average.
As nearly every traffic collision involves one, if not more, of the above driving behaviours, lower numbers indicate that drivers are taking better care when hitting the road.
Buckling up, obeying speed limits, paying attention, and putting down the phone are all easy ways of driving safer and more responsibly.
SGI hopes to see drivers continue choosing safe driving practices on Saskatchewan roads, to keep the trend in traffic-related injuries and fatalities going downward.