Murray Wood: Bad budget forecasting becoming a pattern in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's revised deficit is now sitting at $427M after the provincial government budgeted for a surplus in the spr...
RCMP officers in Saskatchewan are urging drivers to use caution on the province’s roads and highways after responding to 11 fatal crashes during the month of November.
The RCMP said the numbers for November represent 175 per cent more fatal crashes and 37.5 per cent more fatalities than the same period in 2024. Seven of the fatal crashes – resulting in seven deaths – happened in the last week.
Read more:
- Two dead after crashes near Saskatoon, Maple Creek: RCMP
- Saskatoon police briefs: Woman charged after allegedly crashing with three-year-old in vehicle
- Piapot First Nation woman, 44, facing impaired driving charges after fatal crash: RCMP
“While weather conditions may have been a factor in two of the fatal collisions this month, an astounding majority of these deaths involve the same four factors: seatbelts, speed, impairment by drug or alcohol, and distraction,” Jason Sauve, a staff sergeant with the Saskatchewan RCMP’s traffic unit, said in a statement.
“These tragic scenes leave a lasting impact on every single person who sees, hears about, or responds to them. If us repeating safety messages can help prevent us from having to respond to one fatal collision call – we will continue to share them.”
The Mounties urged all drivers to buckle up, stay within the speed limits, pay close attention to surroundings and always drive sober.
“We are running out of ways to say it,” Sauve added. “Please, when you take the road from now on, take the time to consciously remind yourself of these four things.”
Between January 1 and Tuesday, the RCMP said Mounties have responded to a total of 89 fatal crashes, resulting in 94 deaths.
That total represents a 32.8 per cent increase in the number of fatal crashes and a 23.7 per cent jump in fatalities over the same period in 2024.
The numbers shared by the RCMP do not include crashes that happened on private property, off-road crashes, crashes caused by medical emergencies or crashes in the jurisdiction of other police forces.
Province preaches highway safety with new ad campaign
The Government of Saskatchewan is rolling out a new advertising campaign reminding drivers to use plenty of caution on the highways during the winter months.
Highways Minister David Marit made the announcement on Wednesday morning at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
“Whether heading to the largest livestock show in Canada, bonspiels, hockey games or other destinations, please check the Highway Hotline and give our snowplows room,” Marit said in a statement
“As the Ministry of Highways’ annual winter safety campaign gets underway. Remember, this is Saskatchewan where weather can change rapidly.”
The provincial hotline will add two new road cameras this winter along highways 1 and 47, near the communities of Rush Lake and Stoughton, letting drivers see a snapshot of the roads before they head out.
“Drivers are reminded to stay back and stay safe near snowplows, as they create a mini blizzard called the Snow Zone when clearing highways,” the provincial government noted.
“Drivers should be cautious around snowplows, which pull over every 10 to 15 kilometres to let motorists pass.”
Fatal crash reported north of Lloydminster
Just hours after issuing the statement on the increase in fatal crashes in the province, RCMP officers were called to the scene of a fatal crash about 12 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
Police said officers attended to the crash site at the intersection of highways 17 and 798 at around 6 p.m.
“Investigation determined that a car and truck collided,” the RCMP said in a statement.
“The driver of the car was transported to hospital by EMS where he was later pronounced deceased. He has been identified as an 88-year-old male from Lloydminster, AB. His family has been notified.”
The driver of the truck and a passenger were both hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, the RCMP added.
“Maidstone RCMP is grateful for the support of the Lloydminster Rescue Squad who provided initial first aid and provided traffic control during this incident,” the Mounties noted.
