WorkSafe Saskatchewan, SGI, the RCMP and over a dozen other community partners want to remind you to concentrate when you are on the road this summer.
"Let's work together to make Mission: Zero - no injuries, no fatalities - a reality on our road system this summer," said Gord Moker, the CEO of Safe Saskatchewan. "It's going to take each of us applying our full attention to driving, and looking out for one another, but I know we can do it." On average, two people die and one is injured in highway crashes each month in this area.
Last November, WorkSafe Saskatchewan set up a committee to address injuries and fatalities on highways where the risk of collision was rising.
"There is a lot of oil and gas activity around here. Semi traffic on the highways around Estevan has basically doubled since 2007. Drivers have to concentrate more than they used to in this area," said Phil Germain, Vice President of Prevention, Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board.
Summer is especially dangerous. "After looking at the fatality and collision details from across the province, we noticed that from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at night, the number of collisions and deaths spike. We are asking people to please concentrate all the time on the highway, but especially during the early evening," explained Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI.
Marty Cobb, Executive Director of the Motor Safety Association explained. "People are tired, they are rushing home from work or to the cottage. They might have had a drink after work so their reaction time is down. They get distracted and glance at a text. Even a split second can be fatal."
Whatever the reason - the risk on Saskatchewan highways has increased.
"These collisions are preventable," said Sgt. Pete Garvey of the RCMP. "Even if you think you are the best driver on the road, focus. Don't let yourself be distracted, because you know what? The guy in the next car thinks he's the best driver in the world too, and if he's also distracted, the results will be deadly."
"It's always better to get there 15 minutes later than to not get there at all," advised Garvey.
