Road deaths up in 2015, but trend toward safer roads continues

The number of fatalities on Quebecroads increased in 2015, following a record low reached the previous year,according to data released by the province's automobile insurance board onFriday.

The SAAQ's annual update on vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and injuries showed there were 361 deaths in 2015 compared to 322 in 2014 a12.1 per cent increase.

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In spite oftheincrease, 2015nevertheless saw the second lowest fatal collisions on record since 1945.Deaths on Quebec roads, moreover, were 13.8 per cent lower in 2015 whencompared to the 2010-2014 average.

That continues a dramaticdecline in road deaths since the early 1970s:There were 2,209 fatalities in 1973 alone.

"In spite of our efforts, our progress in road security remains fragile," said SAAQpresident and CEO Nathalie Tremblay.

"The 2015 annual report is a sign that we have to continue our efforts, reinvent ways of influencingthe behaviour of drivers and develop innovative approaches tooutreach."

Safer young drivers?

The report shows a small uptick in 2015two per centin the number of motorcyclists injured or killed on the road,compared to the 2010-2014 average.

There was a small decline, 1.5 per cent, in the number of injured and dead cyclists, compared to the 2010-2014 period.

The number of pedestrians injured or killed in vehicular accidents wasup six per cent compared to the average of the previous five years.

The report also heldencouraging signs about young drivers. Since 2010, there has been a significant decline in the number of 15-24 year-olds killed or injured in road accidents.

There were9,174 victims last year, compared to12,596 in 2010.

Over the same period, however, there was a slight increase in the number of elderly drivers involved in accidents. The2,501 victims in 2015 represented a 8.3 per cent increase over the 2010-2014 average.