2017 saw lowest number of deaths on Sask. roads in 63 years

The number of deaths on Saskatchewan roads in 2017 dropped to a low not seen in more than 60 years, according to SGI.

Facing a room of empty chairs that represented the 102 people that died on provincial roads, SGI Minister Joe Hargrave said the number of fatalities was still far too many.

"It's really sad for Saskatchewan," he said. "It's something we have to fix."

Impaired driving, distracted driving, speed and lack of a seatbelt have all been the leading causes of death on the roads over the years, with 1974 seeing the highest number of deaths on roads, with 306 people killed.

But the trend in more recent years has seen fewer fatalities and 2017 recorded the lowest number of road deaths in the province since 1954, in which 74 people died.

There were:

• 125 deaths in 2016.
• 121 deaths in 2015.
• 130 deaths in 2014.
• 139 deaths in 2013.
• 183 deaths in 2012.

Awareness campaigns are helping to change the dial on attitudes towarddistracted and impaired driving, Hargrave said, adding SGI will continue and broaden these campaigns.

"Now's not the time to take bad analogy maybe to take your foot off the gas," he said.

Marijuana legalization

As it prepares for the legalization of marijuana, campaigns will also focus on the dangers of driving while under the influence of pot, he noted.

SGI has paid for60drug recognition experts, and is paying to have 20 more trained in the lead up to legalization. SGIwill be advocating for more of these experts and field sobriety tests to be used in the field, according to Hargrave.

If you don't take that action, another innocent victim could die.- SGI Minister Joe Hargrave

"These people are trained to recognize when people are impaired by drugs," he said, adding that courts recognize their expertise in cases of impaired driving.

While SGI may undertake awareness and enforcement campaigns, he noted the responsibility for curbing traffic fatalities ultimately belongs to Saskatchewan residents.

"If you don't take that action, another innocent victim could die," he said. "It's a sad thing, and that's what we have to prevent."