Distractions are more dangerous than alcohol on the roads

File Photo, Marc Vallières
The Sûreté du Québec has unveiled its latest road safety report. The total in 2017, 244 collisions, in fact, 269 victims were identified on its territory. On the photo, a fatal accident occurred last November in Saint-Tite-des-Caps.

Axel Marchand-Lamothe

Friday, 5 January 2018 06:00

UPDATE
Friday, 5 January 2018 06:00

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For the first time, the use of cell phones and distracted driving caused more deaths than alcohol on the roads patrolled by the Sûreté du Québec last year.

In its road safety report annual, which will be unveiled today, the SQ there are 24 fatal collisions related to distraction, the main one being the cell phone use while driving.

This is an increase of 50 % compared with 2016.

“It is a matter of concern, said Patrick Després, inspector to the surveillance of the territory for the SQ. The technology is very accessible and it is always tempting to want to use their phone, but people need to stay focused on the road.”

10 000 observations

With more than 10,000 statements of offence given in the last year for using a phone while driving and the penalties more severe to come, the SQ is hoped that motorists will empower them more.

Photo courtesy

Patrick Després, inspector SQ

“Use your smart phone as a GPS, it is a thing. View text messages is another,” recalls the inspector.

The police officer also points out that to read a book, or putting on makeup while driving has other distractions that patrollers observe regularly.

Conversely, driving while intoxicated is in decline and has been responsible for 19 fatalities last year, compared to 24 in 2016.

The young victims

The police are apprehensive, however, the legalization of cannabis planned for this summer.

“When you look at what happened in other States, we think that there will be an effect [on the road assessment]. We take this seriously,” says Mr. Després, adding new agents, examiners will be trained.

If the number of road accident victims in the 16 to 24-year-old has been in decline over the past four years, 2017 mark a 46% increase for this age group.

Out of the 57 deaths were reported by the SQ, 15 were passengers, a situation that is of concern.

“Inexperience, coupled with the speed and the consumption of alcohol, makes young drivers more at risk, says Patrick Després. We must lead the occupants to be assertive, to say that it is enough.”

Changes to come

The police will focus in particular on more outreach to achieve that.

The changes being considered by the government to the Code of road safety for drivers under the age of 19 years, which would include the limitation of the number of passengers and the prohibition of nighttime driving, are also welcome.

“All the measures which may save lives, it is,” says Mr. Després.

► Overall, the SQ has identified 244 collisions, which were 269 victims in 2017. The number of deaths counted in the last year is an increase of 3.5 % compared to 2016.

Speed

It remains, by far, the leading cause of deaths on the road.

Although the number of fatal collisions caused by the recklessness of a driver is increased from 89 to 76 last year, this still represents 30 % of all deaths on the road.

The number of impacts at high speed is also in decline, according to the Sûreté du Québec.

Belt

SQ noted a 50% decline in the number of deaths linked to not wearing a safety belt, with 23 victims in 2017.

“The message seems to pass,” says inspector Patrick Després, who rejoiced also to see that the passengers in the back were more.

Motorcycles

The number of fatal accidents involving motorcycles has remained stable at 41 last year, despite a 15% increase in the number of registrations.

Mr. Despres stated that it was of users considered at high risk and more vulnerable due to the lack of protection.

Weather

The weather is not a “cause” of an accident.

“The fact that they did not adapt his driving to the road conditions, the is “, however, specifies that the inspector of the SQ.

The majority of fatal collisions occur the week, and during the day. The summer is also more deadly in the winter.

Finally, 17 % of lethal events occurred on a Tuesday last year.

Roads

According to the data of the Sûreté du Québec, 50 % of the crashes with fatalities occur on roads ” numbered “.

“The vast majority [of them] are located in a rural area, with a speed limit of 90 km/h, explains Patrick Després. What are the routes most at risk. “

The highways are a little less than 20 % of all fatal accidents.