OUTLOOK - The year of 2024 saw RCMP officers in the province respond to a total of 77 fatal vehicle collisions that saw 88 people lose their life.
In addition, more people were seriously injured from those collisions, as well.
In 2024, there were 271 collisions involving serious injuries, up 43% from the previous year. These vehicle collisions resulted in 321 people suffering serious injuries, which is up 48% from the previous year.
These numbers and other data, according to RCMP, show that 2024 had the most fatalities on rural roads in the province in six years.
“First off, we want to send our condolences to all the families affected by these tragedies,” said Supt. Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services in a media release. “It’s important when we talk about statistics to remember that there are numerous lives that are changed forever behind each of these collisions. We all need to do our part to try to prevent every collision we can.”
The causes of these collisions show that there were four primary factors: impaired driving; distracted driving; dangerous driving behaviour (primarily speeding); and failure to use a seatbelt.
Statistics gathered by the RCMP show that male drivers are more likely to be at fault in both serious and fatal collisions. However, regardless of gender, the age group at highest risk of being involved in a fatal and/or serious collision in the province is those aged 16 to 25.
Supt. St. Germaine also pointed out that collisions are taking place later in the day, with more than 60% of them having happened between noon and midnight. Most of these were also found to be single vehicle collisions.
Road fatalities continue to be a concern as we move through 2025, with the numbers of fatalities only continuing to rise on Saskatchewan roads.
This year, there have been a total of 51 fatal collisions and 54 deaths. Such a number represents 13 more lives lost than at this same time last year. Police say that close to 40% of these deaths were related to someone not wearing their seatbelt.
“It’s unfortunate that I have to keep repeating the basic driving safety tips. But we continue to see risky driving behaviour contributing to serious collisions,” Supt. St. Germaine said in the release. “Remember, always obey posted speed limits, never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, put the phone down and always remember to wear your seatbelt – it may keep you alive.”
